Substrate for reflective liquid crystal display device and reflective liquid crystal display device using the same

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a reflective liquid crystal display device being low cost, high reflectance, and high contrast in the reflective liquid crystal display device of VA system providing a diffusion reflective plate having uneven shape and using negative dielectric anisotropy liquid crystal and a substrate using for a reflective liquid crystal display device. Assuming that reflective surface of the reflective plate has plurality of small mirror surfaces, direction of normal vector In of the small mirror is constructed so that standard deviation of probability distribution existing within angle range of azimuth angle from φn to φn+1° is 0.1 or more.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/166,603, filed Jun. 11,2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,075,602.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a reflective liquid crystal displaydevice and a substrate for the reflective liquid crystal display deviceused for the device, and more particularly, to the reflective liquidcrystal display device of VA system providing a diffusion reflectiveplate having uneven shape and using liquid crystal of negativedielectric anisotropy, and a substrate for the reflective liquid crystaldisplay device used for the device.

2. Description of the Related Art

The reflective liquid crystal display device has characteristics of thinshape, light weight, and low power consumption, and does not need a backlight unit because of the display using external light so that it ispossible to realize a thin paper-like display device. The reflectiveliquid crystal display device put to practical use nowadays adopts a onesheet polarizing plate system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.232465/1993 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 338993/1996. Since highcontrast is obtained and only one sheet of polarizing plate is used bythe one sheet polarizing plate system, loss of light is reduced and acomparatively bright display is obtained.

FIG. 21 shows an outline of the reflective liquid crystal display device100 construction according to a one sheet polarizing plate system of therelated art, and shows a section cut off vertically to a displaysurface. A diffusion reflective plate 102 having uneven reflectivesurface is formed on a substrate not shown. A phase difference plate(λ/4 plate for example) 106 is arranged on a facing substrate not shownthrough the reflective surface of the diffusion reflective plate 102 andthe predetermined cell gap. A polarizing plate 108 is arranged at anexternal light incidence side of the phase difference plate 106. Aliquid crystal layer 104 is sealed in the predetermined cell gap, andhorizontal alignment films (not shown) are formed at boundaries of theliquid crystal layer 104 of both substrates. A rubbing treatment, forexample, is performed on the two horizontal alignment films sandwichingthe liquid crystal layer 104 so that liquid crystal molecules of theboundaries are orientated in different directions to each other.

For the liquid crystal layer 104, nematic liquid crystal having positivedielectric anisotropy is used. Since liquid crystal molecules of thehorizontal alignment film boundary are oriented almost horizontally atthe predetermined pre-tilt angle in the condition that voltage is notapplied between both substrates, the liquid crystal becomes twistnematic liquid crystal in which liquid crystal molecules are rotatedtoward a cell gap direction. The conventional reflective liquid crystaldisplay device 100 of one sheet polarizing plate system performs displayof normally white type displaying bright condition (that is, white) whenno voltage is applied.

FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B show conditions of liquid crystal molecules 104 ain the liquid crystal layer 104 of the conventional reflective liquidcrystal display device 100 of one sheet polarizing plate system. FIG.22A shows the liquid crystal molecules 104 a in the bright conditionwhen no voltage is applied, and FIG. 22B shows the liquid crystalmolecules 104 a in the dark condition when voltage is applied. For easydescription, condition of the crystal molecules 104 a without twist isdrawn simplifying the figure in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B. In the darkcondition, the liquid crystal molecules 104 a of the horizontalalignment film boundary does not rotate much to the vertical directionfrom horizontal direction even if voltage is applied because ofanchoring effect (alignment regulation) as shown in FIG. 22B. Because ofthat, retardation (phase delay) occurs at this area, and a problem ofnot enough black display. Then, a method is proposed, in which a phasedifference plate is designed considering residual retardation at voltageapplying condition (Y. Itoh, N. Kimura, S. Mizushima, Y. Ishii, and M.Hijikigawa, AM-LCD 2000 digest, p. 243 (2000)). However even if suchdesign is performed, it is difficult to remove the retardation at allwavelengths and to obtain high contrast.

FIG. 23 shows an outline of the reflective liquid crystal display device101 construction according to one sheet polarizing plate system of therelated art differing from the device of FIG. 21, and shows a sectionvertically cut off to a display surface. A point differing from thestructure shown in FIG. 21 is that vertical alignment films (not shown)are formed at boundaries of the liquid crystal layer 105 of bothsubstrates and nematic liquid crystal having negative dielectricanisotropy is used for the liquid crystal layer 105. Thereby, a liquidcrystal display device of VA (vertically aligned) type in which liquidcrystal molecules of vertical alignment film boundaries orient almostvertically at the condition when no voltage is applied between bothsubstrates is constructed. The conventional reflective liquid crystaldisplay device 101 of one sheet polarizing plate system performs displayof normally black type displaying, dark condition (that is, black) whenno voltage is applied. The conventional reflective liquid crystaldisplay device 101 can obtain very high contrast because residualretardation does not exist at a black display. However, sinceretardation generates for incident light from an oblique direction to adisplay surface, a problem that it is difficult to obtain a good darkcondition in external incident light to the display surface from alldirections occurs. Especially, since light reaching the diffusionreflective plate 102 is further diffused and reflected there by usingthe diffusion reflective plate 102 having an unevenness, influence oflight by an oblique incidence becomes large so that contrast fallsremarkably.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a reflective liquid crystaldisplay device having low cost, high reflectance, and high contrast anda substrate for the reflective liquid crystal display device used forthe device.

Assuming that a substrate for the reflective liquid crystal displaydevice provides a light reflective plate forming an uneven shape at areflective surface and the reflective surface is constructed by aplurality of small mirror surfaces, the above-mentioned object isachieved by a substrate for the reflective liquid crystal display devicein which a standard deviation of a probability distribution that has adirection of a normal vector of the small mirror surfaces existing at anazimuth angle range of φn to φn+1° is larger than 0.1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are views describing a schematic view of thestructure and operational principle of a reflective liquid crystaldisplay device according to a first mode for carrying out the invention;

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views showing a reflective liquid crystaldisplay device of Embodiment 1-1 according to a first mode for carryingout the invention as a model;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a reflective liquid crystal displaydevice of Embodiment 1-1 according to a first mode for carrying out theinvention as a model;

FIG. 4 is a view showing change of phase difference 6 of light L11 whenthe light 10 going toward origin 0 from arbitrary point Si enters apolarizing plate 6, and further goes towards a diffusion reflectiveplate 2 as light L11 passing through a phase difference plate 6 and aliquid crystal layer 4;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a position relation of an uneven reflectivesurface of the diffusion reflective plate 2 and spherical spacer;

FIG. 6 is a view showing result of examination of cell gap dependency ofphase difference δ at cell gap of 2 μm;

FIG. 7 is a view showing result of examination of cell gap dependency ofphase difference δ at cell gap of 2.5 μm;

FIG. 8 is a view showing result of examination of cell gap dependency ofphase difference δ at cell gap of 3.5 μm;

FIG. 9 is a view showing result of examination of cell gap dependency ofphase difference δ at cell gap of 4 μm;

FIG. 10 is a view showing range of azimuth φ when the cell gap is 2 to 4μm and phase difference δ exceeds 25° or more from 90°;

FIG. 11 is a view showing the diffusion reflective plate 2 having thereflective surface constructed with wrinkled shape uneven patternaccording to Embodiment 1-1 in the first mode for carrying out theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a view describing to obtain existence probabilitydistribution of normal vector In of a small mirror surface 26 aboutazimuth φn of normal vector In assuming that surface of the diffusionreflective plate 2 is constructed with the small mirror surfaces 26;

FIG. 13 is a view showing existence probability of normal vector In todirection of normal vector In;

FIG. 14 is a view showing reflectance of dark condition (%), reflectanceof bright condition (%), and contrast to azimuth (deg.) of the diffusionreflective plate 2;

FIG. 15 is a view showing existence probability of normal vector In todirection of normal vector In;

FIG. 16 is a view showing standard deviation of existence probability atazimuth dependency of the diffusion reflective plates of Sample 1 toSample 3 obtained from existence probability distribution of azimuthdependency shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view showing the maximum value and the minimum value ofcontrast at varying azimuth of the diffusion reflective plate;

FIG. 18 is a view showing relation between mean tilt angle of polarangle θ direction and reflectance;

FIG. 19A to FIG. 19H are views showing microscope pictures (20magnifications) of wrinkled pattern formed by varying film thickness ofresist layer;

FIG. 20 is a view showing the result of reflectance and contrast to meantilt of polar angle direction;

FIG. 21 shows an outline of the conventional reflective liquid crystaldisplay device construction according to one sheet polarizing platesystem, and is a view showing section vertically cut off to displaysurface;

FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B are views showing conditions of liquid crystalmolecules when voltage is applied for the conventional reflective liquidcrystal display device 100 according to one sheet polarizing platesystem;

FIG. 23 shows another outline of the conventional reflective liquidcrystal display device construction according to one sheet polarizingplate system, and is a view showing section vertically cut off todisplay surface;

FIG. 24A to FIG. 24C are perspective views showing the diffusionreflective plate 2 providing wrinkled shape uneven pattern at areflective surface;

FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B are views showing operational principle of theconventional reflective liquid crystal display device of TN system;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are views showing operational principle of areflective liquid crystal display device of VA system according to asecond mode for carrying out the invention;

FIG. 27 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 28 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 29 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 30 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 31 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 32 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 33 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 34 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 35 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 36 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 37 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 38 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 39 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 40 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 41 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 42 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 43 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 44 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 45 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 46 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 47 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 48 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 49 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 50 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 51 is a view showing simulation result of optical characteristic ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 52 is a view describing about reflection characteristic of thediffusion reflective plate 2 in which unevenness is formed on surface ofthe reflective liquid crystal display device according to a second modefor carrying out the invention;

FIG. 53A to FIG. 53D are views showing refractive index ellipsoid;

FIG. 54 is a model view describing first solving means according to athird mode for carrying out the invention;

FIG. 55 is a view showing an alignment control structure in Embodiment3-1 viewing to normal direction of surface of substrate according to thethird mode for carrying out the invention;

FIG. 56 is a view showing a structure of fourth solving means accordingto the third mode for carrying out the invention;

FIG. 57 is a view showing a structure of eighth solving means accordingto the third mode for carrying out the invention;

FIG. 58A to FIG. 58F are views showing pictures observed at alignmentobservation in Embodiment 3-1 according to the third mode for carryingout the invention; and

FIGS. 59A and 59B are views showing observed pictures obtained atalignment observation in Embodiment 3-3 according to the third mode forcarrying out the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[First Mode for Carrying Out]

A substrate for a reflective liquid crystal display device and areflective liquid crystal display device using the substrates accordingto a first mode for carrying out the invention will be describedreferring FIG. 1A to FIG. 20. First, using FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, aschematic of the structure and operational principle of the reflectiveliquid crystal display device according to the mode for carrying outwill be described. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a section of the reflectiveliquid crystal display device 1 vertically cut off to display surface,FIG. 1A shows a bright condition (white display), and FIG. 1B shows adark condition (black display). A diffusion reflective plate 2 having anuneven reflective surface is formed on a substrate not shown. A phasedifference plate (λ/4 plate for example) 6 is arranged on a facingsubstrate not shown facing the reflective surface of the diffusionreflective plate 2 through the predetermined cell gap substrate. Apolarizing plate 8 is arranged at external light incidence side of thephase difference plate 6. A liquid crystal layer 4 is sealed in thepredetermined cell gap, and vertical alignment films (not shown) areformed at boundaries of the liquid crystal layer 4 of both substrates.

For the liquid crystal layer 4, liquid crystal of VA type havingnegative dielectric anisotropy is used, in which liquid crystalmolecules of the vertical alignment film boundary are oriented almostvertically in the condition that a voltage is not applied between thesubstrates. The reflective liquid crystal display device 1 of a onesheet polarizing plate system performs a display of normally black type,displaying a dark condition when no voltage is applied.

It is regarded that the polarizing plate 8 has a polarizing axis (lighttransmitting axis) 10 parallel to the surface of the paper in FIG. 1A.When external light (presented with light L1 of linear polarized lighthaving polarizing azimuth parallel to the polarizing axis 10, and lightL2 of linear polarized light having polarizing azimuth intersecting theL1 at right angle and vertical to the surface of the paper) enters thepolarizing plate 8 from display surface, light L2 is absorbed at thepolarizing plate 8, and only light L1 transmits the polarizing plate 8.Next, light L1 enters the λ/4 plate 6, becomes light L3 of circularlypolarized light (right-handed viewing from direction facing travelingdirection for example), and enters the liquid crystal layer 4. Liquidcrystal molecules 4 a are tilted to the liquid crystal layer 4 at thestate that voltage is applied, light L3 becomes light L4 of linearpolarized light having polarized light azimuth parallel to the surfaceof paper by retardation generated by tilt of the liquid crystalmolecules 4 a, reflects at the diffusion reflective plate 2, and entersthe liquid crystal layer 4 again. Light L4 becomes light L5 ofright-handed circularly polarized light again by retardation of theliquid crystal layer 4. Next, light L5 enters the λ/4 plate 6, becomeslight L6 of circularly polarized light parallel to the surface of paper,and emits from the λ/4 plate 6. Polarized light azimuth of light L6 isparallel to polarizing axis of the polarizing plate 8, therefore L6transmits the polarizing plate 8, emits out of the display surface, andwhite display is performed.

On the other hand, when external light enters the polarizing plate 8from display surface in FIG. 1B, light L2 is absorbed at the polarizingplate 8, only light L1 transmits the polarizing plate 8. Next, light L1enters the λ/4 plate 6, becomes light L3 of right-handed circularlypolarized light, and enters the liquid crystal layer 4. Liquid crystalmolecules 4 a stand almost vertically to the liquid crystal layer 4 atcondition that voltage is not applied and retardation is not generated.Thus, light L3 enters the diffusion reflective plate 2 holdingright-handed circularly polarized light condition. Since light L3 isconverted 180° in traveling direction while reflecting at the diffusionreflective plate 2, rotating direction of circularly polarized lightbecomes practically reversed, it becomes light L7 of left-handedcircularly polarized light, and enters the liquid crystal layer 4 again.Since light L7 is not influenced by retardation at the liquid crystallayer 4, light L7 enters the λ/4 plate 6 holding left-handed circularlypolarized light condition, it becomes light L8 of linear polarized lightvertical to the surface of paper, and emits from the λ/4 plate 6. Sincepolarized light azimuth of light L8 crosses at polarizing axis of thepolarizing plate 8, L8 is absorbed at the polarizing plate 8 so thatlight is not emitted out of display surface and results in blackdisplay. Therefore, in order to obtain a dark condition, it is neededthat incident light becomes circularly polarized light at the diffusionreflective plate 2.

However, since retardation of the λ/4 plate 6 and the liquid crystallayer 4 changes about the oblique incident light coming to the displaysurface obliquely, retardation occurs and oblique incident light becomesellipsoid polarized light at the diffusion reflective plate 2. By notreflecting such reflective light to an observing direction of thedisplay surface, it is possible to realize a good dark condition.

That is, by making a surface construction of the diffusion reflectiveplate 2 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B an uneven structure havingreflective directivity of an azimuth direction, the loss of contrast canbe reduced. Especially, assuming that the uneven structure of surface ofthe diffusion reflective plate 2 is constructed by a plurality of smallmirror surfaces, it is possible to reduce contrast loss by making thestandard deviation of a probability distribution that a direction of anormal vector of the small mirror surfaces exists at an angle range ofφn to φn+1° larger than 0.1.

The reflective liquid crystal display device according to the modes forcarrying out will be described below using embodiments.

Embodiment 1-1

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views showing the reflective liquid crystaldisplay device according to the invention as a model. FIG. 2A is aperspective view showing laminating condition of each optical element,and FIG. 2B shows arranged relation of these optic axes. FIG. 2B will bedescribed later.

The phase difference plate 6 has a first phase difference plate 12 (λ/2made of resin having norbornen structure) and a second phase differenceplate 14 (λ/4 made of the same resin) in order to realize wide band λ/4plate as shown in FIG. 2A. The phase difference plate 6 is constructedby further inserting a third phase difference plate 16 (negative phasedifference film VAC 75 by Sumitomo Chemical Company is used)compensating retardation by oblique incidence between the wide band λ/4plate and the liquid crystal layer 4.

For the liquid crystal layer 4, liquid crystal material (by Merck JapanCompany) having negative dielectric anisotropy and Δn=0.1 in refractiveindex difference is used.

The polarizing plate 8 has a polarizing film 20 (G1220DU by Nitto DenkoCompany) and a TAC (Triacetyl Cellulose) film 18. Even in the TAC film18, retardation exists so it is also necessary to consider theretardation.

FIG. 3 shows a state that a polarizing condition (phase difference δ) ofincident light L11 on the diffusion reflective plate 2 is examined byapplying light L10 from a display surface of the reflective liquidcrystal display device 1 of the VA mode of the construction shown inFIG. 1A and FIG. 2B. The embodiment will be described using thefollowing coordinate system by taking the origin 0 of the coordinatesystem at the center of display surface displaying a picture; taking xaxis (right side is positive in the figure) for a horizontal directionparallel to the display surface passing through the origin 0; taking a yaxis (upper right side is positive in the figure) for a directionparallel to the display surface and intersecting the x axis at a rightangle; and taking z axis (lower side is positive in the figure) for thenormal direction of display surface. In the arbitrary point Si ofthree-dimensional space shown in the coordinates system, azimuth angle φi (angle measured counterclockwise from positive side of x axis) is theangle between the projection of the arbitrary point Si and coordinatesorigin 0 on the x-y surface and the x axis, and pole angle θi (anglemeasured from negative side of z axis) is the angle between the straightline and z axis.

The phase difference δ of light L11 when light L10 (wavelength λ=550 nm)going to the origin 0 from the arbitrary point Si enters the polarizingplate 8, further going to the diffusion reflective plate 2 as light L11passing through the phase difference plate 6 and the liquid crystallayer 4 is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, horizontal axis represents poleangle θi (degree) of course of light L10, and vertical axis representsphase difference δ (degree; shown with absolute value) of light L11. Inthe graph, eighteen of the same azimuth angle curves φ0 to φ17calculated by every 10 degrees from azimuth angle φ0=0° to φ17=170° forazimuth angle φi are plotted. Thickness (z direction; cell gap) of theliquid crystal layer 4 at this time is 3 μm.

It is known from FIG. 4 that phase difference δ becomes almost 90°without depending on azimuth angle φi near the pole angle θi=0° andobtains circulary polarized light. It is known that phase difference δshifts sharply from 90° when absolute value of pole angle θi becomeslarge, particularly phase difference δ runs off sharply from 90° atdirection of azimuth angle φ11=110° to φ15=150°.

The result observing the reflective liquid crystal display device 1using the diffusion reflective plate 2 by microscope is shown in FIG. 5.When the diffusion reflective plate 2 having an unevenness is used, cellgap changes as shown in widths G1 and G2 of FIG. 5 because amplitude ofunevenness of about 1 μm exists. It is known that there is a sphericalshape spacer 22 for cell gap control at the hollow of unevenness of thereflective surface of the diffusion reflective plate 2 as shown in FIG.5. Numerical symbol 24 in FIG. 5 shows a facing substrate side.

Therefore, when liquid crystal panel of 3 μm, 3.5 μm, or 4 μm cell gapare produced, each cell gap changes between 2 to 3 μm, 2.5 to 3.5 μm, or3 to 4 μm. Based on them, cell gap dependency of phase difference δ atcell gap of 2 to 4 μm is examined. The result is shown in FIG. 6 to FIG.9.

In FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, horizontal axis represents pole angle θi (degree)of course of light L10, and vertical axis represents phase difference δ(degree) of light L11. In the graph, eighteen of the same azimuth anglecurves φ0 to φ17 measured by every 10 degrees from azimuth angle φ0=0°to φ17=170° for azimuth angle φi are plotted. As clear from FIG. 6 toFIG. 9, when cell gap of the liquid crystal layer 4 changes, retardationof oblique incidence changes and viewing angle characteristic changessharply.

Relations of the change of cell gap and phase difference δ obtainedbased on FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 are shown together in FIG. 10. Since it isknown by the result of observation that light leakage of a darkcondition becomes large when the phase difference δ shifts 25° or morefrom 90°, FIG. 10 shows a range of azimuth angle φi when the cell gap is2 to 4 μm and the phase difference δ shifts 25° or more from 90°. Asshown in FIG. 10, phase difference δ shifts 25° or more from 90° atazimuth angle φ=10° to 50° at 2 μm cell gap. Further, phase difference δshifts 25° or more from 90° at azimuth angle φ=30° at 2.5 μm cell gap;at azimuth angle φ=120° to 140° at 3 μm cell gap; at azimuth angleφ=100° to 160° at 3.5 μm cell gap; and at azimuth angle φ=0° to 10° andφ=50° to 180° at 4 μm cell gap.

Therefore, when a designed value of the cell gap is 3 μm for example, itis known that phase difference δ shifts sharply from 90° so as to becomelight leakage when light L10 entering from azimuth angle φ=10° to 50°and azimuth angle φ=120° to 140° reaches the diffusion reflective plate2 as light L11 applying a condition that a phase difference δ at cellgap of 2 to 3 μm at FIG. 10 shifts 25° or more from 90°. Similarly, whena designed value of the cell gap is 3.5 μm, since the cell gap ischangeable within 2.5 to 3.5 μm, it is known that the phase difference δshifts sharply from 90° so as to become light leakage when light L10entering from the azimuth angle φ=30° and azimuth angle φ=100° to 160°reaches the diffusion reflective plate 2 as light L11. Further, when thedesigned value of the cell gap is 4 μm, since the cell gap is changeablewithin 3 to 4 μm, it is known that phase difference δ shifts sharplyfrom 90° so as to become light leakage when light L10 entering fromazimuth angle φ=0° to 10° and azimuth angle φ=50° to 180° reaches thediffusion reflective plate 2 as light L11.

In order that light causing such light leakage does not reflect to anobserving direction of the reflective liquid crystal display device,unevenness where light of an incident azimuth angle φ causing a lightleakage does not reflect to a normal direction of panel surface may beformed on the reflective surface of the diffusion reflective plate 2.That is, a tilt surface may not be extended to an azimuth with the mostcontribution to reflect incident light from azimuth angle φi that causeslight leakage to a normal direction of the panel surface (azimuth angle(φi+90°)). Therefore, when a cell gap of designed value is 3 μm, theshape of the reflective surface is formed so as to make a tiltcorresponding to an azimuth angle φ=10° to 50° and an azimuth angleφ=120° to 140° as small as possible. As reflective surface shape, thediffusion reflective plate 2 having a reflective surface constructedwith a random wrinkled uneven shape as shown in FIG. 11 is formed atevery pixel on a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) substrate. The diffusionreflective plate 2 serves as a picture electrode formed at every pixel,and is electrically connected to a source electrode of the TFT notshown. The diffusion reflective plate 2 is produced by the followingmethod:

(1) A resist layer of 3 μm thickness is formed applying positive typenovolak photoresist on the TFT substrate using spin-coater;

(2) Pre-baking of two minutes at temperature 90° C. is performed to theresist layer on the TFT substrate using a hot plate;

(3) Post-baking of 80 minutes at temperature 135° C. is performed to theresist layer on the TFT substrate using a clean oven;

(4) Irradiation is performed to the resist layer on the TFT substrateusing UV (Ultra Violet) with irradiating energy 2600 mJ/cm²;

(5) Final baking of 60 minutes at the temperature 215° C. is performedto the resist layer on the TFT substrate using the clean oven, thus awrinkled shape pattern is formed on the surface of the resist layer; and

(6) Al (Aluminum) of 200 nm thickness is formed on the resist layer byspattering, thus the Al layer functions as a diffusion reflective plate(plate) and the reflective surface shape becomes a wrinkled uneven shape(wrinkled uneven structure (matter)) reflecting the wrinkled pattern ofthe lower resist layer.

As shown in FIG. 11, gate bus lines and drain bus lines extend todirections of azimuth angle φ=0° and φ=90° at the diffusion reflectiveplate 2 on the TFT substrate surface. Because of that, a wrinkled unevenshape reflecting these bus line shapes is formed. The surface shape ismeasured by an AFM (Atomic Force Microscope), and assuming that thesurface of the diffusion reflective plate 2 is constructed with a smallmirror surface 26 as shown in FIG. 12, an existence probabilitydistribution of a normal vector In of the small mirror surface 26 isobtained about azimuth angle φn of the normal vector. Three dimensionalcoordinates system of x-y-z in FIG. 12 is the same as the coordinatessystem shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents the direction of the normalvector In with an azimuth angle φn, and the vertical axis represents theexistence probability of normal vector In. As shown in FIG. 13, manytilts of the azimuth angle φn=0° and φ=90° exist in normal vector In.Although a local maximum of probability distribution exists at anarbitrary azimuth and azimuth intersecting at a right angle in theembodiment, the local maximum of probability distribution may exist onlyat the arbitrary azimuth. Using the diffusion reflective plate 2, thereflective liquid crystal display device of a VA mode is produced. Avertical alignment film is used, and a micro-pearl of 3 μm diameter bySekisui Fine Chemical Company is used for the spherical spacer.Measurement of reflectance of a dark condition (used with integratingsphere) is tested by bonding the polarizing plate 8 and the phasedifference plate 6 described in FIG. 2A to the reflecting cell. FIG. 2Bshows a condition of viewing the x-y surface along the z direction aboutthe x-y-z coordinate system shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 2B, thelight absorbing axis of the polarizing film 20 of the polarizing plate 8(vertical direction to polarizing axis) and lagging axis of the TAC film18 are parallel, and is fixed to azimuth angle φ=15°. Here, the laggingaxis means a larger axis among refractive indexes of directions in filmsurface nx and ny when placing nx and ny for refractive indexes ofdirections in film surface and nz for refractive indexes of thicknessdirections.

Returning to FIG. 2B, the lagging axis of the first phase differenceplate 12 of the phase difference plate 6 is at an azimuth angle φ=25°,and the lagging axis of the second phase difference plate and the thirdphase difference plate 16 are parallel and at an azimuth angle φ=80°.With the structure of optic axis of FIG. 2B described above, using thediffusion reflective plate 2 providing the wrinkled uneven shape shownin FIG. 11 for the diffusion reflective plate 2 in the laminatingstructure of optical film shown in FIG. 2A, reflectance is measuredrotating the laminating structure to the direction of the azimuth angleφ centering the coordinates origin. In the measurement, reflectance ofthe diffusion reflective plate 2 in a dark condition when voltage is notapplied to the liquid crystal layers 4 and reflectance in a brightcondition when applying a driving voltage of 5 V between the liquidcrystal layers 4 are obtained. From these measurement data, contrast iscalculated.

The result is shown in FIG. 14. Horizontal axis of FIG. 14 representsazimuth angle (degree) of the diffusion reflective plate 2, verticalaxis of left side represents reflectance of dark condition (%), andvertical axis of right side represents reflectance of bright condition(%) and contrast. As shown in FIG. 14, it is known that reflectance ofdark condition falls remarkably at azimuth angle φ=0° (=180°) and φ=90°,and high contrast is obtained. As known from FIG. 11, in the diffusionreflective plate 2, many tilts exist at directions of azimuth angle φ=0°and φ=90°, and existence of tilts at direction of azimuth angle φ=45°and φ=135° is very few. Because of that, although light entering fromazimuth angle φ=0° and φ=90° is used more, on the other hand,utilization factor of light entering from azimuth angle φ=45° and φ=135°becomes small. Since light in the direction of azimuth angle φ=10° to50° and azimuth angle φ=120° to 140° does not become circularlypolarized light as shown in FIG. 10, the liquid crystal layer 4 combinedwith the polarizing plate 8 and the phase difference plate 6 is suitedto decrease utilization factor of these lights. Therefore, high contrastis obtained by falling reflectance of the dark condition.

Embodiment 1-2

Characteristic in the case of changing azimuth dependency of surfaceshape of the diffusion reflective plate 2 is examined. Azimuthdependency of normal vector In of the small mirror surface 26 at surfaceshape of the diffusion reflective plate 2 used is shown in FIG. 15. InFIG. 15, horizontal axis represents direction of normal vector In withazimuth angle φn, and vertical axis represents existence probability ofnormal vector In. Sample 1 in the figure is the diffusion reflectiveplate 2 of Embodiment 1-1, Sample 3 is the conventional diffusionreflective plate including circle pattern not depending on azimuth.Sample 2 is the diffusion reflective plate 2 having intermediate azimuthdependency of them.

The diffusion reflective plate 2 of Sample 2 is produced by thefollowing method:

(1) A resist layer of 3 μm thickness is formed applying positive typenovolak photoresist on the TFT substrate using spin-coater;

(2) The TFT substrate is dried under reduced pressure;

(3) Pre-baking of two minutes at a temperature of 90° C. is performed tothe resist layer on the TFT substrate using a hot plate;

(4) Post-baking of 80 minutes at a temperature of 135° C. is performedto the resist layer on the TFT substrate using a clean oven;

(5) Irradiation is performed to the resist layer on the TFT substrateusing UV light with irradiating energy 2600 mJ/cm²;

(6) Final baking of 60 minutes at a temperature of 215° C. is performedto the resist layer on the TFT substrate using the clean oven, thuswrinkled shape pattern is formed on surface of resist layer; and

(7) Al of 200 nm thickness is formed on the resist layer by spattering,thus Al layer functions as a diffusion reflective plate (plate) and thereflective surface shape becomes a wrinkled uneven shape reflecting awrinkled pattern of the lower resist layer.

The diffusion reflective plate 2 of Sample 3 is produced by thefollowing method:

(1) A resist layer of 3 μm thickness is formed applying positive typenovolak photoresist on the TFT substrate using a spin-coater;

(2) Pre-baking of 20 minutes at temperature 90° C. is performed to theresist layer on the TFT substrate using a clean oven;

(3) The resist layer is exposed using a mask pattern where circularpatterns of 10 μm diameter are arranged at random;

(4) Developing one minute the resist layer on the TFT substrate usingdeveloping solution MF 319 (by Shipley Company);

(5) Post-baking of 40 minutes at a temperature of 125° C. is performedto the resist layer on the TFT substrate using a clean oven;

(6) Irradiation is performed to the resist layer on the TFT substrateusing UV light with irradiating energy 1300 mJ/cm²;

(7) Final baking of 60 minutes at a temperature of 215° C. is performedto the resist layer on the TFT substrate using the clean oven; and

(8) Al of 200 nm thickness is formed on the resist layer by spattering.

Standard deviation of an existence probability at an azimuth dependencyof diffusion reflective plates of the sample 1 to the Sample 3 obtainedby the existence probability distribution of azimuth angle dependencyshown in FIG. 15 is shown in FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, the left itemrepresents sample number, middle item represents standard deviation, andright item represents note (description). The diffusion reflective plateused up to now such as Sample 3 hardly has azimuth dependency so thatvery small standard deviation (=0.10) is shown. On the other hand,Sample 2 shows comparably large standard deviation (=0.32), and unevenshape of Embodiment 1-1 of the sample 1 shows large standard deviation(=0.56).

The reflective liquid crystal display devices are formed using thesediffusion reflective plates, and liquid crystal panels of VA modecombined with the polarizing plate 8 and phase difference plate 6 shownin FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are produced. Reflectance of these panels ismeasured under the integrating sphere. The maximum value and the minimumvalue of contrast at changing azimuth of the diffusion reflective plateare shown in FIG. 17. The maximum value and the minimum value ofcontrast hardly change in Sample 3 (the prior art) from FIG. 17. InSample 2 and Sample 1, it is known that the maximum contrast becomeshigher than the conventional mode (standard deviation=0.10) becausestandard deviation of existence probability (=0.32 to 0.56; desirably0.5 or more) at azimuth dependency shown in FIG. 16 having azimuthdependency at the shape of diffusion reflective plate becomes large.

Embodiment 1-3

By the result of FIG. 10, at design of the cells of 3.5 μm and 4 μmthickness, azimuth not required for the diffusion reflective plate 2 isazimuth angle φ=30° and φ=100° to 160° (center azimuth φ=130°) and φ=50°to 190° (center azimuth φ=120°). Therefore, many tilt surfaces extendingtilts to azimuth of φ=30° and φ=130°, and φ=120° may exist. Relation ofφ=30° and φ=130°, or φ=145° can be realized by wrinkled pattern almostintersecting at a right angle, and φ=120° can be realized by a wrinkledpattern of stripe shape.

Embodiment 1-4

Azimuth dependency of pole angle θ of tilt at a surface of the diffusionreflective plate 2 is examined. FIG. 18 shows the relation of mean tiltangle of pole angle θ and reflectance assuming that the tilt of thediffusion reflective plate 2 obeys a normal distribution. As shown inFIG. 18, when parallel bundle rays enter from the polarizing plate 8with certain incident angle, it is known that the larger the incidentangle at the surface of the face sandwiching the diffusion reflectiveplate 2 becomes, the larger the mean tilt angle of pole angle θdirection obtaining the maximum reflectance becomes. It is known fromFIG. 18 that the mean tilt angles of pole angle θ direction obtainingthe maximum reflectance at incident angles of 30°, 45° and 60° become7°, 10°, and 13° respectively. An actual environment using thereflective liquid crystal display device 1 has light entering fromvarious directions. Therefore, a bright reflective liquid crystaldisplay device can be obtained by designing the diffusion reflectiveplate 2 so that the mean tilt angle of pole angle θ direction becomesclose to 7° to 15°.

Then, a reflective liquid crystal display device of VA mode (liquidcrystal material of Δn=0.1 having negative dielectric anisotropy isused, and cell gap is 3 μm) is produced using the diffusion reflectiveplate 2 different in mean tilt angle. The diffusion reflective plate 2is produced by the following method:

(1) A resist layer is formed applying positive type novolak photoresiston the glass substrate of 0.7 mm thickness using spin-coater;

(2) Pre-baking of 20 minutes at temperature 90° C. is performed to theresist layer on the substrate using a clean oven;

(3) Irradiation is performed to the resist layer on the substrate usingUV light with irradiating energy 2600 mJ/cm²;

(4) Final baking of 60 minutes at temperature 215° C. is performed tothe resist layer on the substrate using the clean oven, thus a wrinkledshape pattern is formed on the surface of resist layer; and

(5) Al of 200 nm thickness is formed on the resist layer by spattering,thus Al layer functions as a diffusion reflective plate (plate) andoptical reflective surface shape becomes a wrinkled uneven shapereflecting wrinkled pattern of lower resist layer.

In order to change mean tilt of pole angle θ, film thickness of theresist layer is adjusted. FIG. 19A to FIG. 19H show picture ofmicroscope (20 magnifications) of wrinkled shape pattern formed byvarying film thickness of the resist layer. FIG. 19A shows a wrinkledpattern example at resist layer of 4 μm film thickness. Similarly, FIG.19B shows a wrinkled pattern example at resist layer of 3.5 μm; FIG. 19Cshows resist layer of 3 μm; FIG. 19D shows resist layer of 2.5 μm; FIG.19E shows at resist layer of 2 μm; and FIG. 19F shows resist layer of1.5 μm. FIG. 19G shows resist layer of 1 μm; and FIG. 19H shows resistlayer of 0.7 μm.

As known from FIG. 19A to FIG. 19H, amplitude of wrinkled pattern can bechanged sharply by changing film thickness of the resist layer. Surfaceof the diffusion reflective plate 2 produced by such the method ismeasured using AFM, and mean tilt angle is obtained.

The result of reflectance and contrast to each mean tilt of pole angledirection measured using integrated sphere is shown in FIG. 20. Theconstruction shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B is used for the polarizingplate 8 and the phase difference plate 6. It is known from FIG. 20 thatpeak of reflectance is obtained at mean tilt near 13° and contrast fallswhen mean tilt becomes large. The reason that tendency of reflectancediffers from the simulation result of diffusion light shown in FIG. 18is considered that tilt distribution of the used diffusion reflectiveplate 2 does not obey normal distribution. The reason that contrastfalls remarkably at large mean tilt is that the larger the mean tilt theincident light from large pole angle θ direction reflect to normaldirection of the panel. That is, since light not compensated enough bythe phase difference plate 6 is used for display, contrast fallssharply. Therefore, it is not desirable to make mean tilt large, and itis known that mean tilt of about 7° to 15° is needed to use from thepoint of view of reflectance and contrast.

As described above, according to the mode for carrying out, a low cost,high reflectance reflective liquid crystal display device depressingfall of contrast caused by retardation can be realized. Althoughwrinkles shape pattern of uneven shape is examined in the mode forcarrying out, uneven shape having anisotropy of azimuth direction ofellipsoid, rectangle, and triangle can obtain the similar effect.

[A Second Mode for Carrying Out]

Next, a reflective liquid crystal display device according to a secondmode for carrying out the invention will be described using FIG. 24A toFIG. 53D. When composing elements according to the mode for carrying outare same as the composing elements according to the first mode forcarrying out at operational function, the description is omittedapplying the same symbol. Although there is a producing method disclosedin the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 232465/1993 in theprior art about a diffusion reflective plate, in the method of theinvention, unevenness is formed on a reflective pixel electrode using aphotolithography technique. In the method, high reflectance can beobtained by forming an arbitrary uneven shape on the diffusionreflective plate. However, producing process becomes complicated becausereflective surface shape of the diffusion reflective plate is controlledusing the photolithography technique in the method. Further, sinceuneven shape formed by exposure condition changes and light reflectivecharacteristic changes sharply, there is a problem that margin ofproducing process is narrow there is a problem that margin of producingprocess is narrow.

As a method improving such the problem, a reflective liquid crystaldisplay device having a diffusion reflective plate providing a wrinkleduneven shape (micro-groove) on the optical reflective surface isproposed by the applicant of the invention. The wrinkled uneven shape isformed by thermal treatment after letting thermal deformationcharacteristic (Tg point and melting temperature) to distribute atthickness direction and in-plane direction of a resist (photosensitiveresin) layer formed on a substrate. FIG. 24A to FIG. 24C are perspectiveviews showing the diffusion reflective plates 2 providing wrinkleduneven shape on the optical reflective surface. FIG. 24A shows wrinkleduneven shape formed depositing Al at 200 nm thickness by spatteringafter forming wrinkled uneven shape on upper surface of resist film of1.7 μm thickness. Undulations of unevenness is 1.3 μm, and mean tiltangle of unevenness is k=13°. FIG. 24B shows wrinkled uneven shapeformed depositing Al at 200 nm thickness by spattering after formingwrinkled uneven shape on upper surface of resist film of 1.4 μmthickness. Undulations of unevenness is 1.1 μm, and mean tilt angle ofunevenness is k=11°. FIG. 24C shows wrinkled uneven shape formeddepositing Al at 200 nm thickness by spattering after forming wrinkleduneven shape on upper surface of resist film of 1 μm thickness.Undulations of unevenness is 0.5 μm, and mean tilt angle of unevennessis k=8°.

According to the diffusion reflective plates 2 shown in FIG. 24A to FIG.24C, producing process is simplified and production yield is improved.Further, production cost is reduced and stable, high reflectivecharacteristic is obtained. However, although the diffusion reflectiveplates 2 is very superior in reflective characteristic, it has a problemthat reflective performance is not shown enough at using for theconventional reflective liquid crystal display device of TN mode.

Operational principles of the reflective liquid crystal display deviceof the conventional TN mode and VA mode used in the mode for carryingout are shown in FIG. 25A and FIG. 26. Although constructions shown inFIG. 25A, FIG. 26A, and FIG. 26B are similar as the structure shown inFIG. 21, FIG. 22A, and FIG. 22B, a pair of facing substrates 112 and 114are shown additionally. Liquid crystal molecules 104 a are twisted about60° at condition when no voltage is applied shown in FIG. 25A, at thiscondition, white display is realized by making retardation of the liquidcrystal layer 104 similar as the λ/4 phase difference plate, and verywide reflective characteristic is obtained by combining with thediffusion reflective plate 2 forming wrinkles pattern at the reflectivesurface.

On the other hand, black display is performed by making retardation assmall as possible, ideally as close to zero, at condition when voltageis applied as shown in FIG. 25B. However, in order to have the liquidcrystal molecules 104 a to stand perfectly vertical, very high voltageapplied is needed and not practical. Because of that, contrast ratio ofonly about 15 is obtained at voltage applied of 4 to 5 volts at contrastratio in the integrated sphere assessment.

Contrary, in the reflective liquid crystal display devices of VA modeshown in FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B, liquid crystal molecules 105 a standalmost vertically at condition when no voltage is applied shown in Fig.FIG. 26A so as to realize ideal black display. When substantialretardation of the liquid crystal layer 105 becomes λ/4, white displaygenerates at condition when voltage is applied, as shown in FIG. 26B.Therefore, by optimizing retardation of the liquid crystal layer 105(=Δn·d; Δn is refractive index anisotropy; d is cell gap) more, whitedisplay can be realized with lower voltage. Thus, in the reflectiveliquid crystal display device combining VA mode and the diffusionreflective plate 2 of wrinkled shaped uneven shape, wide whitereflective characteristic in viewing angle and more black display (highcontrast ratio and wide viewing angle) are realized with driving voltageof 4 V or less.

Simulation result of optical characteristics of the reflective liquidcrystal display device according to the mode for carrying out are shownin FIG. 27 to FIG. 51. In the simulation, n type liquid crystal A(Δn=0.1, Δε=−7) having negative dielectric anisotropy is used for liquidcrystal material. Reflectance characteristic is examined about threewavelengths of reflective light of λ1=450 nm, λ2=550 nm, and λ3=650 nm.

FIG. 27 to FIG. 31 represent reflectances in order to each voltageapplied in the case varying chiral pitch p to p=∞ (infinity; no additionof chiral agent), p=d (cell gap)×5=7.5 μm, p=d×4=6 μm, p=d×3=4.5 μm, andp=d×2=3 μm at cell gap of 1.5 μm and retardation of Δn·d=150 nm.

FIG. 32 to FIG. 36 represent reflectance in order to each voltageapplied in the case varying chiral pitch p to p=∞, p=d×5=10 μm, p=d×4=8μm, p=d×3=6 μm, and p=d×2=4 μm at cell gap of 2 μm and retardation ofΔn·d=200 nm.

FIG. 37 to FIG. 41 represent reflectance in order to each voltageapplied in the case of varying chiral pitch p to p=∞, p=d×5=15 μm,p=d×4=12 μm, p=d×3=9 μm, and p=d×2=6 μm at cell gap of 3 μm andretardation of Δn·d=300 nm.

FIG. 42 to FIG. 46 represent reflectance in order to each applyingvoltage in the case of varying chiral pitch p to p=∞, p=d×5=20 μm,p=d×4=16 μm, p=d×3=12 μm, and p=d×2=8 μm at cell gap of 4 μm andretardation of Δn·d 400 nm.

FIG. 47 to FIG. 51 represent reflectance in order to each applyingvoltage in the case of varying chiral pitch p to p=∞, p=d×5=25 μm,p=d×4=20 μm, p=d×3=15 μm, and p=d×2=10 μm at cell gap of 5 μm andretardation of Δn·d=500 nm.

FIG. 27, FIG. 32, FIG. 37, FIG. 42, and FIG. 47 show changes whenretardation Δn·d of the liquid crystal layer 105 is made large graduallyin order of the figure number at no addition of chiral agent and chiralpitch of p=∞. As shown in these figures, it is known that peak value ofreflectance (the maximum value) becomes low voltage by increasingretardation Δn·d of the liquid crystal layer 105. For example, atΔn·d=500 nm shown in FIG. 47, peak value of reflectance is obtained withvery low voltage, that is, about 2V of applying voltage. However,voltage width of peak value of reflectance becomes narrow, includingtemperature characteristic, the margin of circuit design becomes narrow.On the other hand, about Δn·d=150 nm shown in FIG. 27, applying voltageof about 4 V is needed in order to obtain reflectance peak. Thus, it isknown that relation of voltage width obtaining peak value of reflectancewhich becomes a white display and making applying voltage low isrelation of trade-off.

Contrary, in the mode for carrying out, it is found that the relation oftrade-off is improved by adding definite chiral agent to the liquidcrystal. Looking out over the whole FIG. 27 and FIG. 51, it succeededthat enlargement of voltage width obtaining peak value of reflectancewhich becomes a white display and making applying voltage low arecompatible by using liquid crystal having chiral pitch p of 3 to 4magnifications of cell gap d.

About the mode for carrying out, liquid crystal material in whichrefractive index anisotropy Δn of liquid crystal is 0.05 or more anddielectric anisotropy Δε is −3.8 or less except the above-mentioned ntype liquid crystal A can obtain effect of the mode for carrying out.Alignment control is possible by wrinkled uneven shape of the diffusionreflective plate 2 without particularly treating the alignment on thealignment film surface. Further, by performing alignment regulationtreatment of rubbing treatment and UV alignment treatment to facingtransparent electrode side, reflective liquid crystal display devicewith superior display characteristic and response characteristic can berealized.

Liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal having positive or negativedielectric anisotropy and oriented vertically is called verticalalignment (VA) mode, liquid crystal anchoring at boundary of thesubstrate as TN mode does not remain without switching, and contrastratio is made high as principal.

However, light reflected to normal direction of the substrate byapplying the reflective plate forming unevenness on the surface becomesoblique incidence, and liquid crystal tilts by tilt angle ζ. As aresult, even if black display generates when no voltage is applied, theliquid crystal layer has retardation, and complete black display is notobtained at this condition. Retardation of liquid crystal layer when novoltage is applied is represented as function of uneven tilt angle ζ,the above-mentioned retardation can be obtained by obtaining tilt angleζ and existence rate γ thereof. Therefore, complete black display can beobtained by having negative refractive index anisotropy at directionvertical to substrate surface and by that the retardation compensateswith almost the same phase difference plate as retardation obtainedabove.

Means for compensating retardation of liquid crystal layer aligningvertically using the phase difference plate having negative refractiveindex anisotropy at vertical direction to substrate surface is wellknown technology (see English Patent No. 1,462,978 and Japanese PatentApplication No. 266889/1997). The means depresses light leakage fromoblique direction by making retardation df·{(nx+ny)/2−nz} of phasedifference plate almost the same as retardation dlc·Δn of liquid crystallayer. However, any technology is used for improvement of viewing angleof the reflective liquid crystal display device, and it is impossible tocompensate completely the black display of the reflective liquid crystaldisplay device in this retardation.

FIG. 52 is a view describing about reflective characteristic of thediffusion reflective plate 2 forming unevenness at the surface. Thediffusion reflective plate 2 is designed so that environment light istaken in much to reflect to the observer side. Although light quantityof environment light taken in increases by making taking-in angle θ1 ofenvironment light larger, it is not desirable because light is reflectedat boundary when taking-in angle θ1 is too large and light strength isreduced. Taking-in angle θ1 of light reflecting to observer side (normaldirection of the substrate) is provided by tilt angle ζ of unevenportion of the diffusion reflective plate 2, and the inventors of theapplication propose a reflective plate having an optimized tilt angledistribution.

In FIG. 52, the following conditions are placed: refractive index of airN=1.0; refractive index of phase difference plate (PDP) N≅1.5; andrefractive index of liquid crystal N≅1.5. For thickness of PDP of normaldirection of the substrate, dp is placed, θ2 is placed for refractiveangle to taking-in angle (incident angle) θ1, and θ3 is placed forrefractive angle to incident angle θ2 at boundary of the PDP and liquidcrystal. Since refractive indexes of the PDP and liquid crystal arealmost equal, the following expression holds between them.dp/cos θ2≅dp/cos θ3

Length of optical path is dp/cos θ2≅dp/cos 2ζ at the PDP, and dlc/cosθ3≅dlc/cos 2ζ in the liquid crystal outward towards entering at unevenportion of the diffusion reflective plate 2. On the other hand, thelength is dlc in the liquid crystal and dp at the PDP at homeward afterreflecting at the uneven portion.

Retardation of the liquid crystal layer when no voltage is applied inthe case applying the diffusion reflective plate 2 proposed by theinventors of the application is shown in Table 1.

As shown in FIG. 53A, the PDP is assumed to be refractive indexellipsoid having negative dielectric anisotropy in vertical direction tothe substrate surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 53B the liquid crystalis assumed to be refractive index ellipsoid having positive dielectricanisotropy in vertical direction to the substrate surface. Refractiveindex anisotropy when environment light enters with tilt of θ from Zaxis direction in the figure is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 53A and FIG. 53B, ordinary ray No and extraordinary rayNe of incident light with incident angle θ to X-Y plane suit to minoraxis and major axis (or major axis and minor axis) of ellipsoid ofsection cut off of refractive index ellipsoid at plane where X-Y planeis rotated −θ about X axis as shown in FIG. 53C and FIG. 53D.

Here, when incident light enters with tilt of angle θ from normal (Zaxis) direction, Y-Z coordinates of Ny′ and Nz′ is represented asfunction of θ as shown in FIG. 53C and FIG. 53D. Ny′ is obtained asshown in the following Expression 1 by substituting Y-Z coordinatesvalue into ellipsoid equation of Y-Z plane.

$\begin{matrix}{{{{Y^{2}/{Ny}^{2}} + {Z^{2}/{Nz}^{2}}} = 1}{{{{Ny}^{\prime 2}\cos^{2}{\theta/{Ny}^{2}}} + {{Ny}^{\prime 2}\sin^{2}{\theta/{Nz}^{2}}}} = 1}{{Ny}^{2\prime} = {1/\left( {{\cos^{2}{\theta/{Ny}^{2}}} + {\sin^{2}{\theta/{Nz}^{2}}}} \right)}}\begin{matrix}{{Ny}^{\prime} = {{NyNz}/\left( {{{Nz}^{2}\cos^{2}\theta} + {{Ny}^{2}\sin^{2}\theta}} \right)^{1/2}}} \\{= {{Nz}/\left( {{\left( {{Nz}^{2}/{Ny}^{2}} \right)\cos^{2}\theta} + \left( {1 - {\cos^{2}\theta}} \right)} \right)^{1/2}}} \\{= {{Nz}/\left( {1 - {v\;\cos^{2}\theta}} \right)^{1/2}}}\end{matrix}{{Where},{v = {\left( {{Ny}^{2} - {Nz}^{2}} \right)/{Ny}^{2}}}}} & \left\lbrack {{Expression}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

Similarly, Nz′ is obtained as shown in the following Expression 2.

$\begin{matrix}{{{{Y^{2}/{Ny}^{2}} + {Z^{2}/{Nz}^{2}}} = 1}{{{{Nz}^{\prime 2}\sin^{2}{\theta/{Ny}^{2}}} + {{Nz}^{\prime 2}\cos^{2}{\theta/{Nz}^{2}}}} = 1}{{Nz}^{2\prime} = {1/\left( {{\sin^{2}{\theta/{Ny}^{2}}} + {\cos^{2}{\theta/{Nz}^{2}}}} \right)}}\begin{matrix}{{Nz}^{\prime} = {{NyNz}/\left( {{{Nz}^{2}\sin^{2}\theta} + {{Ny}^{2}\cos^{2}\theta}} \right)^{1/2}}} \\\left. {= {{Nz}/\left( {{\left( {{Nz}^{2}/{Ny}^{2}} \right)\left( {1 - {\cos^{2}\theta}} \right)} + {\cos^{2}\theta}} \right)}} \right)^{1/2} \\{= {{Nz}/\left( {{{Nz}^{2}/{Ny}^{2}} + {v\;\cos^{2}\theta}} \right)^{1/2}}}\end{matrix}} & \left\lbrack {{Expression}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

From the relational expression of θ and Nx′, Ny′ and Nz′ obtained insuch way, retardation of the liquid crystal layer responding to tiltangle distribution of unevenness and retardation of the phase differenceplate are obtained. Setting to 3 μm for thickness dlc of liquid crystaland 0.1 for refractive index difference Δn of extraordinary ray andordinary ray, liquid crystal tilts by tilt angle ζ as it goes to thelower substrate (reflective plate side) from the upper substrate. Thus,incident angle θ3 to liquid crystal of environment light becomes smallby tilt angle ζ outward towards the lower substrate from the uppersubstrate, and it becomes small by tilt angle ζ homeward towards asgoing to the upper substrate from the lower substrate.

TABLE 1 Liquid Phase Phase Reflective crystal Difference CompensatingDifference Compensating plate Mean tilt layer (1) rate (2) rate A 13.0646.77 15.26 32.6% 29.65 63.4% B 8.98 23.14 9.05 39.1% 16.15 69.8% C 7.6717.09 7.53 44.1% 12.85 75.2% D 7.48 13.63 6.64 48.7% 10.92 80.1% LiquidPhase Phase Reflective crystal Difference Compensating DifferenceCompensating plate Mean tilt layer (3) rate (4) rate A 13.06 46.77 36.3277.7% 41.81 89.4% B 8.98 23.14 19.04 82.3% 21.73 93.9% C 7.67 17.0914.82 86.7% 16.83 98.5% D 7.48 13.63 12.35 90.6% 13.96 102.4% LiquidPhase Phase Reflective crystal Difference Compensating DifferenceCompensating plate Mean tilt layer (5) rate (6) rate A 13.06 46.77 47.12100.7% 51.34 109.8% B 8.98 23.14 24.34 105.2% 25.96 112.2% C 7.67 17.0918.77 109.8% 19.76 115.6% D 7.48 13.63 15.52 113.9% 16.15 118.5%

Retardation of the liquid crystal layer when no voltage is appliedobtained from tilt angle distribution (tilt angle ζ and its existenceratio) of uneven portion and is 17 nm at wrinkled shape, and theretardation may be compensated with the phase difference plate havingnegative refractive index anisotropy in vertical direction to thesubstrate surface. Assuming that the phase difference plate is arefractive index ellipsoid having negative refractive index anisotropyin vertical direction to the substrate surface, refractive indexanisotropy when environment light enters with tilt of θ from Z axisdirection similarly as the liquid crystal is obtained. Thickness dp ofthe phase difference plates are set to (1) 79 μm, (2) 83 μm, (3) 87 μm,(4) 84 μm, (5) 88 μm, and (6) 89 μm, difference of refractive indexes{(nx+ny)/2−nz} of parallel direction and vertical direction to thesubstrate surface are set to (1) 0.0006, (2) 0.0013, (3) 0.0015, (4)0.0018, (5) 0.0020, and (6) 0.0022, and it is assumed that there is norefractive index anisotropy of parallel direction on the substratesurface (nx=ny).

Retardation generating at phase difference plate (1) to (6) when thesame optical path is taken is shown in Table 1. Since sample (5) becomessame degree as retardation of the liquid crystal layer when no voltageis applied with the reflective plate A for the phase difference plate,optimizing compensation is performed.

Retardation of the liquid crystal layer when no voltage is appliedcalculated here varies by dlc and Δn, and it is in proportion to thesevalues. Therefore, it is desirable that ratio of dlc·Δn rather thanvalue itself is used in order to provide retardation of the phasedifference plate compensating this. Since retardation is representedwith value of parallel or vertical direction to the substrate surface,retardation of the phase difference plate is desirable to represent withvalue of parallel or vertical direction to the substrate surface insteadof practical value obtained at the above-mentioned. By providingretardation of the phase difference plate in such way, the followingrange is obtained.0.5≦[df·{(nx+ny)/2−nz}]/(dlc·Δn)≦0.7

Here, the reason that optimizing retardation of the phase differenceplate has some degree of range is that remarkable effect is expected ascompensating of black display even if retardation of the phasedifference plate shifts about 10% from optimizing value.

Although the retardation of the phase difference plate is optimized byreflective plate proposed by the inventors of the application,retardation of the phase difference plate can be obtained even for theother reflective plate by the similar technique. Result of tilt angledistribution measured about various reflective plate produced by way oftrial by the inventors and retardation of the liquid crystal layer whenno voltage is applied is obtained is shown in Table 1. The range ofretardation of the liquid crystal layer when no voltage is appliedbecomes about 14 to 47 nm when the reflective plate of mean tilt anglerange of 7 degree to 13 degree is applied, and the phase differenceplates of samples (3) to (6) are optimum. By providing retardation ofthe phase difference plate similarly obtained at the above-mentioned,the following range is obtained.0.4≦[df·{(nx+ny)/2−nz}]/(dlc·Δn)≦0.7

Therefore, retardation of the phase difference plate completelycompensating black display at the reflective liquid crystal displaydevice of VA mode applying the reflective plate having unevenness at thesurface is generally provided in the following range.0.4≦[df·{(nx+ny)/2−nz}]/(dlc·Δn)≦0.7

By that a second phase difference plate with less than the liquidcrystal in wavelength dispersibility is sandwiched between thepolarizing plate and liquid crystal cell and azimuth of linear polarizedlight is rotated 90° with the phase difference plate so as to beabsorbed by the polarizing plate, black display with little wavelengthdispersibility (a part of visible light wavelength does not leak) can beobtained. Here, it is desirable to arrange the second phase differenceplate between the polarizing plate and the first phase difference plate,and not desirable between the first phase difference plate and theliquid crystal layer.

Environment light becoming a linear polarized light at the polarizingplate becomes a circularly polarized light at the second phasedifference plate. By arranging the second phase difference plate betweenthe polarizing plate and the first phase difference plate, the firstphase difference plate may compensate at position adjacent to light ofalmost the same polarized light condition (differs for compensatingretardation strictly) as light enters the liquid crystal layer, andpolarized light is hardly disturbed. However, by arranging the secondphase difference plate between the first phase difference plate and theliquid crystal layer, the first phase difference plate must compensatelight of polarized light condition different from light entering in theliquid crystal layer by sandwiching the second phase difference plate,and polarized light is easily disturbed. As a result, it is desirable toarrange the second phase difference plate between the polarizing plateand the first phase difference plate.

According to the mode for carrying out, a reflective liquid crystaldisplay device having low power consumption, low cost, high yield, andvery high display quality (contrast ratio and reflectance) is possibleto realize.

The reflective liquid crystal display device according to the mode forcarrying out will be described concretely using embodiments below.

Embodiment 2-1

A diffusion reflective plate serves as pixel electrode forming atransparent electrode on one substrate and forming a wrinkled unevenpattern on the other substrate is formed. Next, a vertical alignmentfilm is formed at surface contacting liquid crystal layer of the bothsubstrates. Next, empty cells having three kinds of cell gaps areproduced by bonding both substrates using spacers having diameters of 3μm, 4 μm, and 5 μm respectively. Three kinds of liquid crystal panelsare produced by injecting liquid crystal material of n type liquidcrystal A into each cell and sealed. Three kinds of liquid crystaldisplay panels are produced by bonding an optical compensating platelaminating a circularly polarizing plate combining a polarizing plateand a λ/4 plate and a phase difference plate having negative phasedifference film to these liquid crystal panels. These liquid crystalpanels realized a contrast ratio 40 of double or more when comparingwith the conventional display device of TN mode at low voltage of 2.5 Vdrive.

Embodiment 2-2

A diffusion reflective plate serves as pixel electrode forming atransparent electrode on one substrate and forming a wrinkled unevenpattern on the other substrate is formed. Next, a vertical alignmentfilm is formed at surface contacting liquid crystal layer of the bothsubstrates. Next, empty cells having three kinds of cell gaps areproduced by bonding both substrates using spacers having diameters of 3μm, 4 μm, and 5 μm respectively. Three kinds of liquid crystal panelsare produced by injecting mixed liquid crystal of chiral pitch p=12 μmadding chiral agent CN to n type liquid crystal A into each cell andsealed. Liquid crystal display panels are produced by bonding an opticalcompensating plate laminating a circularly polarizing plate combining apolarizing plate and a λ/4 plate and a phase difference plate havingnegative phase difference film to these liquid crystal panels. Theseliquid crystal panels realize a contrast ratio 40 of more than doublewhen comparing with the conventional display device of TN mode at lowvoltage of 2.5 V drive.

Embodiment 2-3

A diffusion reflective plate serves as pixel electrode connected to TFTforming a color filter (CF) and a transparent electrode on one substrateand forming TFT and wrinkled uneven shape on the other substrate isformed. Next, an alignment film having vertical alignment ability isformed at the surface contacting the liquid crystal layer of bothsubstrates. Next, two empty cells are produced by bonding bothsubstrates using spacers having diameters of 3 μm, liquid material of ntype liquid crystal A (not adding chiral agent) is injected into oneempty cell, liquid crystal adding chiral agent (chiral pitch p=12 μm) toliquid crystal A is injected into the other empty cell so as to producea pair of two kinds of liquid crystal panels. Two kinds of liquidcrystal panels are produced by bonding an optical compensating platelaminating a circularly polarizing plate combining a polarizing plateand a λ/4 plate and a phase difference plate having negative phasedifference film to these liquid crystal panels are produced. Theseliquid crystal panels realize a contrast ratio 40 of double or more whencomparing with the conventional display device of TN mode at low voltageof 2.5 V drive.

Embodiment 2-4

A diffusion reflective plate serves as pixel electrode connected to TFTforming a color filter (CF) and a transparent electrode on one substrateand forming TFT and wrinkled uneven shape on the other substrate isformed. Next, an alignment film having vertical alignment ability isformed at the surface contacting the liquid crystal layer of bothsubstrates. Next, two empty cells are produced by bonding bothsubstrates using spacers having diameters of 3 μm, liquid material of ntype liquid crystal A (not adding chiral agent) is injected into oneempty cell, liquid crystal adding chiral agent (chiral pitch p=12 μm) toliquid crystal A is injected into the other empty cell so as to producea pair of two kinds of liquid crystal panels. Two kinds of liquidcrystal panels are produced by bonding an optical compensating platelaminating a circularly polarizing plate combining a polarizing plateand a λ/4 plate and a phase difference plate having negative phasedifference film to these liquid crystal panels are produced. Theseliquid crystal panels realize a contrast ratio 40 of double or more whencomparing with the conventional display device of TN mode at low voltageof 2.5 V drive.

Next, vertical alignment film (by JSR Company) is applied on surface ofTFT substrate and CF substrate, and spacer (by Sekisui Fine ChemicalCompany) of 3 μm diameter is sprayed so as to bond both. Liquid crystal(by Merck Japan Company) having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε=−7.0)and being 0.1 in difference of refractive indexes Δn of extraordinaryray and ordinary ray is injected so as to obtain a liquid crystalelement of VA mode.

In the mode for carrying out, the polarizing plate and the phasedifference plate are arranged at CF side of the reflective liquidcrystal element as shown in the following.

(1) polarizing plate: Absorbing axis is 15° (by Sumitomo ChemicalCompany)

(2) λ/2 plate: One axis film in which retardation of parallel directionto the substrate surface is 275 nm (by JSR Company). Lagging phase axisis 25°.

(3) λ/4 plate: One axis film in which retardation of parallel directionto the substrate surface is 135 nm (by JSR Company). Lagging phase axisis 80°.

(4) VAC 70: Two axes film in which retardation of parallel direction tothe substrate surface is 3 nm and retardation of vertical direction tothe substrate surface is 154 nm (by Sumitomo Chemical Company). Laggingaxis of parallel direction to the substrate surface is 80°.

(5) Liquid crystal element: VA mode

Here, items (2) and (3) are λ/4 plates of laminating type, and form λ/4plates little in wavelength dispersibility as a whole by laminating withcertain angle.

Items (3) and (4) are agreed in lagging axis of parallel direction tothe substrate surface, and retardation of (3) is reduced by retardationportion of (4) to make the total retardation becomes a quarter of thehighly visible green wavelength (540 nm). Item (4) is a phase differenceplate having negative refractive index anisotropy arranged forcompensating retardation of liquid crystal layer at applying no voltage,retardation of (1) dp·{(nx+ny)/2−nz} becomes the following.[dp·{(nx+ny)/2−nz}]/(dlc·Δn)=0.51

In order to compare arrangement of VAC 70, the polarizing plate and thephase difference plate are arranged at CF side of the reflective liquidcrystal element as shown in the following comparative example.

(1) Polarizing plate: Same as Embodiment 2-4

(2) VAC 70: Same as Embodiment 2-4

(3) λ/2 plate: Same as Embodiment 2-4

(4) λ/4 plate: Same as Embodiment 2-4

(5) Liquid crystal element: Same as Embodiment 2-4

In order to compare with the case of not applying the means of theinvention, the polarizing plate and the phase difference plate arearranged at CF side of the reflective liquid crystal element as shown inthe following conventional example 1.

(1) Polarizing plate: Same as Embodiment

(2) λ/2 plate: Same as Embodiment 2-4

(3) λ/4 plate: One axis film in which retardation of parallel directionto the substrate surface is 138 nm (by JSR Company). Lagging phase axisis 80°.

(4) Liquid crystal element: Same as Embodiment 2-4

In order to compare with TN mode proposed, the polarizing plate and thephase difference plate are arranged at CF side of the reflective liquidcrystal element as shown in the following in the conventional example 2.

(1) Polarizing plate: Same as Embodiment 2-4

(2) λ/2 plate: One axis film in which retardation of parallel directionto the substrate surface is 260 nm (by JSR Company). Lagging phase axisis 25°.

(3) λ/4 plate: One axis film in which retardation of parallel directionto the substrate surface is 115 nm (by JSR Company). Lagging phase axisis 80°.

(4) Liquid crystal element: TN mode

Here, in the λ/4 plate of item (3), in order to compensate residualretardation of liquid crystal layer at applying voltage, lagging phaseaxis is agreed to composing vector of anchoring (rubbing) direction ofliquid crystal layer, and retardation of parallel direction to thesubstrate surface is reduced 23 nm from the λ/4 plate of embodiment.Since residual retardation of liquid crystal layer enable to compensatebecomes large when reducing retardation is made large, reflectance atblack display can be made low. However, problems generate, such asreflectance is reduced because of lack of retardation of the phasedifference plate at white display and white display is colored.

In the liquid crystal display element of item (4), horizontal alignmentfilm (by JSR Company) is applied on the substrate surface, bonding isperformed by spraying spacer of 3 μm diameter (by Sekisui Fine ChemicalCompany). Into the empty panel, liquid crystal (by Chisso Corporation)having positive dielectric anisotropy (Δε=6.0) being 0.067 in differenceof refractive indexes Δn of extraordinary ray and ordinary ray isinjected.

The reflective liquid crystal display devices of Embodiment 2-4,comparative example, the conventional examples 1 and 2 are applied withthe same voltage, and reflectance of white display and black display bya spectral luminance meter using a light source of integrated sphere anda spot light source is measured. Here, the light source of integratedsphere is diffusion light in which light goes out to all angles andazimuths, and the spot light source is parallel light in which lightgoes out to particular angle and azimuth. The light source of integratedsphere is close to environment light such as room lighting and sunlight,and reflectance close to impression of looking at can be measured. Onthe other hand, the spot light source measures reflectance at particularangle and azimuth, and dependency of angle and azimuth of incident lightcan be measured. (Integrated value of reflectance at particular angleand azimuth measured using the spot light source becomes the reflectancemeasured by the light source of integrated sphere).

The result of measurement at using the light source of integrated sphereis shown in Table 2. Reflectance of black display becomes 0.29 (55% lessin relative ratio with the conventional example 2) in the embodiment,and contrast ratio is improved to 37 (116% increase in the samecondition). Although residual retardation of liquid crystal layer iscompensated by reducing retardation of λ/4 plate in the conventionalexample 2, contrast ratio is about same as the conventional example 1(reflective liquid crystal display device of vertical alignmentcompensating nothing). This shows that contrast ratio becomes high asprincipal because the reflective liquid crystal display device of VAmode using the λ/4 plate becomes black display when no voltage isapplied. The result of measurement of the comparing example is not morethan the same of the embodiment, it can be said that VAC 70 is desirableto arrange between the polarizing plate and the liquid crystal layer asshown in the embodiment.

TABLE 2 Reflectance Black White Alignment display display CR EmbodimentVertical 0.29 10.82 37.3 Comparative Vertical 0.45 10.63 23.6 exampleConventional Vertical 0.60 11.05 18.4 example 1 Conventional Horizontal0.64 11.02 17.2 example 2 (Applying voltage) Black voltage: 0 V atvertical alignment 4 V at horizontal alignment White voltage: 2.5 V atvertical alignment 0 V at horizontal alignment

The result of measurement at using the spot light source is shown inTable 3. Angle of incident light θ is set to 30° considering tilt angleof the reflective plate used for the embodiment, and the measurement isperformed from upper azimuth. Reflectance of black display becomes 0.56(48% less in relative ratio with the conventional example 2) in theembodiment, and contrast ratio improves to 45 (92% increase in theconventional ratio).

TABLE 3 Reflectance Black White Alignment display display CR EmbodimentVertical 0.56 25.27 45.1 Comparative Vertical 0.70 25.14 35.9 exampleConventional Vertical 0.90 25.45 28.3 example 1 Conventional Horizontal1.08 25.36 23.5 example 2(Applying Voltage)

Same as the above

The mode for carrying out is possible to apply for the reflectiontransmitting type liquid crystal display device having lighttransmitting area where the light reflective plate is partly not formed.The reflection transmitting type liquid crystal display device arrangesa polarizing plate, for example, at TFT substrate side forming thediffusion reflective plate, and both TFT substrate and CF substrateside, a phase difference plate and a polarizing plate are arranged inorder from the substrate surface for example. By guiding light from aback light unit, for example, to the light transmitting area, brightpicture can be displayed even at dark place.

[A Third Mode for Carrying Out]

Next, the reflective liquid crystal display device according to thethird mode for carrying out the invention will be described using FIG.54 to FIG. 59B. The reflective liquid crystal display device takes inenvironment light such as room lighting and sunlight, and display isperformed by reflecting at the reflective plate to observer side. Sincethe reflective liquid crystal display device does not need a back lightunit, it is low in power consumption, and it is widely used for aportable terminal. In order to obtain clear display, device is needed,in which environment light is taken in much and is reflected to observerside in white display, and in black display, the light taken in is notreflected to observer side.

Then, phase transition type quest-host (GH) mode (D. L. White and G. N.Taylar: J. Appl. Phys. 45 4718 1974) is proposed as display mode usedfor the reflective liquid crystal display device. Although bright whitedisplay is obtained because the polarizing plate is needless, even blackdisplay becomes bright so that contrast ratio is about 5 to 6.

On the other hand, twisted nematic (TN) mode (see Japanese PatentApplication No. 319261/1989 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.011711/1994) using one sheet of a polarizing plate is proposed besidesthe mode. The mode is horizontally orientated type liquid crystalelement making liquid crystal having positive dielectric contactanisotropy twist as principal, incident environment light (externallight) is changed to linear polarized light at the polarizing plate,polarizing azimuth is rotated 90° with the liquid crystal layer or thephase difference plate having retardation of ¼ of visible lightwavelength, and black display is performed by absorbing the linearpolarized light with the polarizing plate. Although brightness of themode is about 40% of GH mode because using the polarizing plate,contrast ratio is about 12 to 14 because black display can be madedarker.

Technology is proposed that lagging phase axis of phase difference plateis almost agreed to anchoring azimuth of liquid crystal layer as meansto improve contrast ratio of TN mode and black display is compensated byreducing retardation of the phase difference plate by retardationportion of the liquid crystal layer residual (see the above-mentionedJapanese Patent Laid-Open No. 311784/1999). By using the technology,contrast ratio improves to about 16 to 18.

Clarity of display at the reflective liquid crystal display device isprovided with brightness and contrast ratio, when it is bright, it isclear even with low contrast ratio, and when it is dark, high contrastis required (Television Society Paper Vol. 50, No. 8, pp 1091 to 1095,1996). Although about 12 of contrast ratio is need to realize clarity ofdisplay of GH mode with one sheet system of the polarizing plate beingabout 40% in brightness, contrast ratio of TN mode becomes about 16 to18 by using the above-mentioned technology so as to become more clearthan GH mode. As a result, in the reflective liquid crystal displaydevice, TN mode using one sheet of polarizing plate becomes mainstream.

In the TN mode using one sheet of polarizing plate, rubbing treatment isperformed at different azimuth in upper and lower substrates to make theliquid crystal layer a twist structure, and anchoring azimuths of liquidcrystal layer do not agree at the upper and lower substrates. Althoughlagging axis of the phase difference plate is agreed to almost centeraxis of anchoring azimuth of the upper and lower substrates in thetechnology of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.311784/1999, this compensates the composing vector of anchoring azimuth,but does not compensate retardation of the liquid crystal layer residualat the upper and lower substrates individually. Therefore, it is notenough as compensation of black display.

VA mode using one sheet of polarizing plate is proposed (see theabove-mentioned Japanese Application No. 319261/1989). Although the VAmode is reversed as TN mode in switching condition (ON or OFF) of liquidcrystal, the point that incident environment light is changed to linearpolarized light at the polarizing plate, polarizing azimuth is rotated90° with the liquid crystal layer or the phase difference plate havingretardation of ¼ of visible light wavelength, and black display isperformed by absorbing the light to the polarizing plate is the same.However, because the mode becomes black display when no voltage isapplied in the case azimuth is rotated 90° at the phase differenceplate, liquid crystal layer anchoring at boundary of the substrate doesnot remain like TN mode without switching, and contrast ratio can bemade high as principle. However, because vertical alignment film is usedin VA mode, vertical alignment falls partly by rubbing treatment, and itmakes brightness irregular so as to generate sinewy display defect(rubbing sinew). By rubbing-treating the substrate forming uneven shapehaving reflectivity, liquid crystal is oriented with tilt and thatcontrast ratio falls.

As a result, the technology is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.29030/2000 that rubbing sinew is hard to see and fall of contrast ratiois depressed by performing rubbing treatment only on the substratelittle in step difference to rubbing treatment. However in thistechnology, the point performing the rubbing treatment is same so as togenerate rubbing sinew.

The technology is proposed in Japanese Patent Application No.319261/1989 that a slit crossing a reflective electrode obliquely isarranged at facing substrate side and alignment control is performed byoblique electric field generating between upper and lower substrateswhen voltage is applied. However, in the technology, reflectance fallsin whole of pixels because liquid crystal layer on the slit does notswitch, and clarity of display is not so improved even if contrast ratiois high. Therefore, in order to apply the VA mode for the reflectiveliquid crystal display device of one sheet system of the polarizingplate, alignment control means not sacrificing reflectance is in need.

In the mode for carrying out, means performing alignment control withoutsacrificing reflectance in the liquid crystal display device sandwichingliquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy between a firstsubstrate and a second substrate forming unevenness having reflectivityon the surface is provided.

(First Solving Means)

In the reflective liquid crystal display device providing a secondsubstrate arranged facing a first substrate and forming a reflectiveplate, reflective surface thereof is uneven shape, and liquid crystalsealed between the first and second substrates and having negativedielectric anisotropy, the device further has an alignment controlstructure (line shape projection or slit removing electrode) formed atcorresponding area on the first substrate facing a gap portion betweenadjacent pixel electrode (the above-mentioned reflective plate serves)on the second substrate, and liquid crystal alignment in the pixel ismade almost mono-domain alignment.

FIG. 54 is a model view describing the first solving means. FIG. 54shows liquid crystal panel cut off to vertical direction to panelsurface. In the figure, horizontal direction represents position (μm)from standard position of a substrate 112, and vertical scale of leftside in the figure represents height (μm) to a substrate 114 from thesubstrate 112. Vertical scale of right side in the figure representstransmittance (a. u.), and a curve of solid line in the figure showstransmittance change of every voltage applied. Minute line in the figurerepresents director of liquid crystal molecules 4 a when certain voltageis applied. Pixel electrodes 30 are formed on the substrate 112, a gappotion is formed at area surrounded by circles S2, S3, and S4 of FIG.54. An alignment control structure (projection) 36 is formed just on thegap portion surrounded by circle S3 on the substrate 114. As shown witharrow in the figure, liquid crystal molecules 4 a tilt to direction ofarrow signs 32 and 34 when voltage is applied.

As shown in FIG. 54, because there is no reflective plate at gap portionbetween adjacent pixel electrodes 30, reflectance is not sacrificed byforming an alignment control structure 36 at area facing the gap portionand performing alignment control. That is, alignment of liquid crystalmolecules 4 a in the pixel electrodes 30 can be made mono-domainalignment by controlling oblique electric field so that domain boundarydoes not generate in the pixel electrodes 30 using the alignment controlstructure 36. Concrete control method of oblique electric field will beshown in second solving means.

(Second Solving Means)

In the first solving means, alignment control structures are formed atevery other one pixel electrode at corresponding area on the firstsubstrate facing the gap portion of pixel electrode long side, thestructure contacts adjacent two long sides of pixel electrodes oroverlaps viewing to normal direction of the substrate surface. Theconstruction according to the solving means is shown in FIG. 55. FIG. 55shows the state viewing the alignment control structure 36 at normaldirection of the substrate surface. FIG. 55 shows the state applyingvoltage to a liquid crystal layer 4, and shows the state that liquidcrystal molecules 4 a and 4 b on the pixel electrodes 30 tilt todirections of arrow signs 32 and 34 facing to the alignment controlstructures 36 positioning at upper position of gap between the pixelelectrodes 30. As shown in FIG. 55, gap width between the pixelelectrodes 30 is W2, and pattern width of the alignment controlstructure 36 of long side of the pixel electrodes 30 is W1.

In the second solving means, liquid crystal is oriented to azimuthdifferent in almost 90° to long side of the pixel electrode usingoblique electrical field generating at the gap portion between pixelelectrode 30 while applying voltage, and oblique electric fieldgenerating at the gap portion between adjacent pixel electrodes iseliminated by the alignment control structure 36 formed at correspondingarea on the first substrate. Desirably, by changing tilt azimuth ofelectric field, liquid crystal alignment in the pixel electrodes is mademono-domain alignment, and domain boundary is fixed at the gap portionbetween pixel electrodes 30.

Incidentally, when the alignment control structure is not formed at thegap portion between the pixel electrodes, domain boundary by reversetilt generates in the pixel electrodes because liquid crystal performstilt orientation to inside of the pixel electrodes. Although domainboundary is not conspicuous by making incident light to the liquidcrystal a circularly polarized light using a phase difference platehaving retardation of almost ¼ of visible light wavelength, lightscatters or is refracted so as to give rough feeling by oblique viewingangle because the liquid crystal differs from surrounding liquid crystalin refractive index at the area.

The reason that the alignment control structure 36 is formed at the gapportion of long side of the pixel electrode 30 is to make distance tothe gap portion adjacent to the alignment control structure 36 as shortas possible so as to have good responsibility. That is, although liquidcrystal alignment propagates from area generating oblique electric fieldto area not generating at alignment control by oblique electric field,response time that liquid crystal alignment is put in order almostuniformly becomes long when propagating distance becomes long. Sincepixel electrode constructs one pixel (pixel) with three color sub-pixelsof R (red), G (green), and B (blue), the electrode is a rectangle ofalmost 3:1 in ratio of length and breadth, and propagating distance canbe made ⅓ in the case of short side of the pixel electrode 30 byperforming alignment control using oblique electric field generating atthe gap portion of long side of the pixel electrode 30.

The reason that the alignment control structure 36 formed atcorresponding area of the first substrate contacts adjacent two longsides of the pixel electrode 30 or desirably overlaps is that obliqueelectric field generating at the gap portion between the pixelelectrodes 30 is eliminated with the alignment control structure 36 ordesirably tilt azimuth of electric field is changed. The reason that thealignment control structures 36 are formed at every other one pixelelectrode 30 is to orient liquid crystal to azimuth different in almost180° between adjacent pixel electrodes 30. That is, although a commonelectrode is formed at corresponding area of the first substrate facingthe gap portion if the pixel electrodes 30, viewing normal direction ofthe substrate surface, liquid crystal in the pixel electrodes 30 becomemono-domain alignment because the alignment control structures 36contact long sides of adjacent two pixel electrodes 30 or liquid crystalmolecules are oriented with tilt to external side of the pixelelectrodes 30 and not to internal side desirably when the structures areoverlapped. However, when azimuth of mono-domain alignment are made sameat area of all pixel electrodes 30, increase and decrease of retardationat tilt azimuth and the reverse azimuth of liquid crystal moleculesbecomes large so that viewing angle dependency becomes large. Then, byaligning liquid crystal of adjacent pixel electrodes 30 to azimuthdifferent in 180° so as to perform two domain orientations at area ofadjacent two pixel electrodes 30, increase and decrease of retardationat applicable azimuth is made average so as to realize clear display atall azimuths.

(Third Solving Means)

In the second solving means, width W1 of alignment control structure isgenerally within the following range:1≦(W1/W2)≦3

In order to eliminate oblique electric field generating at the gapportion between the pixel electrodes 30 with the alignment controlstructures 36 or desirably tilt azimuth of electric field is changed, itis necessary that the alignment control structures 36 is contacted longside of the pixel electrodes 30 or desirably overlapped viewing normaldirection of the substrate surface by making width W1 of the alignmentcontrol structures 36 which is equal to or more than gap width W2 oflong side of the pixel electrodes 30.

As shown in FIG. 55, reflectance falls because the alignment controlstructures 36 extends in the pixel electrodes 30 when width W1 is toolarge. By examining the fall of reflectance varying overlappingquantity, when gap width W2 between the pixel electrodes 30 is set to 6μm and the alignment control structures 36 are formed for the facingarea, the falls of reflectance of 2% at overlapping quantity 2 μm, 3% at4 μm, and 4% at 6 μm are proved. Since the fall is of a degree thatdifference is not distinguished as viewing sense when fall ofreflectance is less than 5%, it is desirable that width W1 is generallyset to the above-mentioned range at overlapping the alignment controlstructures 36 to long sides of adjacent two pixel electrodes 30. Here,the reason that range of width W1 is provided with ratio of the gapwidth W2 is that area generating oblique electric field by length of thegap width W2 between the pixel electrodes 30 is different, following it,it is necessary to change width W1 of the alignment control structures36.

(Fourth Solving Mean)

In the first solving means, alignment control structures are formed atevery other one pixel electrode at corresponding area on the firstsubstrate facing the gap portion of pixel electrode long side, thestructure contacts adjacent two long sides of pixel electrodes oroverlaps viewing to normal direction of the substrate surface. Theconstruction according to the solving means is shown in FIG. 56. FIG. 56shows the state viewing the alignment control structure 36 to normaldirection of the substrate surface. FIG. 56 shows the state whenapplying voltage to a liquid crystal layer 4, and shows the state thatliquid crystal molecules 4 b on the pixel electrodes 30 tilt todirections of arrow sign 34 facing to the alignment control structures36 positioning at upper position of gap between the pixel electrodes 30.As shown in FIG. 56, gap width between the pixel electrodes 30 is W2,and pattern width of the alignment control structure 36 of long side ofthe pixel electrodes 30 is W1.

By contacting long side of adjacent one pixel electrode 30 with thealignment control structure 36 or desirably overlapping, tilt azimuth ofoblique electric field only at the gap portion of long side of one pixelelectrode 30 is reversed. By forming this similarly at every pixelelectrode 30, mono-domain alignment not having domain boundary isrealized at all of the area because tilt azimuths of oblique electricfield are almost put in order at the gap portion between all pixelelectrodes 30. Although mono-domain alignment becomes large in viewingangle dependency at tilt azimuth and the reverse azimuth, increase anddecrease of retardation are little at azimuth different in 90° from tiltazimuth so that viewing angle dependency is little. It is possible toselect such mono-domain alignment in the case that there is not aproblem at practical use when viewing angle dependency is little atcertain azimuth even if display of particular azimuth (tilt azimuth) ishard to see such as use for note type personal computer.

(Fifth Solving Means)

In the fourth solving means, width W1 of alignment control structure isgenerally within the following range:1/2≦(W1/W2)≦3/2

Different point with the second solving means is the point that thealignment control structures 36 is contacted long side of the pixelelectrodes 30 or desirably overlapped viewing to normal direction of thesubstrate surface. As a result, only half of the alignment controlstructure 36 may be formed as border at center line of the gap portionbetween the pixel electrodes 30 so that range of width W1 is about halfof the second solving means.

(Sixth Solving Means)

In the first solving means, the alignment control structures of aboutgap width are formed at every picture electrode at corresponding areafacing to the gap portion of short side of the pixel electrode among thecorresponding area on the first substrate.

Because oblique electric field generates even at the gap portion ofshort side of the pixel electrodes 30, it is desirable to eliminateoblique electric field by forming an alignment control structure 38 evenat corresponding area facing to this as shown in FIG. 55 and FIG. 56.Although it is desirable that width W1 of an alignment control structure36 is made large to degree that oblique electric field of reverseazimuth generates at the gap portion of long side of the pixel electrode30 and domain boundary is made stable at the gap portion between thepixel electrode 30, oblique electric field of the facing gap portion maybe eliminated at the gap of short side of the pixel electrode 30, and itis not desirable because oblique azimuth of reverse azimuth generateswhen the width is made large to a degree overlapping to short side ofthe pixel electrode 30 so as to generate domain boundary.

(Seventh Solving Means)

In the first solving means, an alignment control structure supportsbetween a first and second substrates by having height corresponding tolayer thickness of liquid crystal layer in at least a part of thestructure or forming a projection corresponding to layer thickness ofthe liquid crystal layer on the structure. A column shape spacer 40 isshown in FIG. 56.

When the substrate is supported using the alignment control structures36 and 38, spacer is removed from inside of the pixel electrode 30 sothat reflectance improves because spacer spraying is needless. Althoughit is difficult to control thickness of liquid crystal layer 4 todesired thickness when spacer is sprayed equally to the substrateforming unevenness and the alignment control structures 36 and 38 on thesurface, standard surface is made almost equal by using the alignmentcontrol structures 36 and 38 so as to control thickness of liquidcrystal layer 4 easily.

(Eighth Solving Means)

In the first solving means, a second alignment control construction ofalmost parallel to short side of pixel electrodes and having width 4 μmor less is formed adjacent to an alignment control construction ofcorresponding area on upper side of gap portion of long side of thepixel electrode at a second corresponding area on a first substratefacing to the pixel electrode.

When alignment control is performed using oblique electric field of thegap portion of long side of the pixel electrode 30, it is necessary topropagate liquid crystal alignment for distance of short side of thepixel electrode 30, response speed becomes slow comparing with allsurface alignment treatment such as rubbing treatment. Then, responsespeed can be improved by forming a second alignment control structure 39almost parallel to short side of the pixel electrode 30 and having widthof 4 μm or less being adjacent to the alignment control structure 36 ofcorresponding area on upper side of the gap portion of long side of thepixel electrode 30 at the second facing area facing to the pixelelectrode 30 of the first substrate as shown in FIG. 57 becauseproviding power aligning liquid crystal to almost parallel azimuth toshort side of the pixel electrode 30 generates even on the pixelelectrode 30. That is, although width W1 is large to a degree thatliquid crystal orients with tilt at oblique electric field generatingbetween upper and lower substrates in the alignment control structure 36of upper side of the gap portion of long side of the pixel electrode 30,liquid crystal does not orient at oblique electric field generatingbetween upper and lower substrates, and liquid crystal orients with tiltby distortion of electric field generating to parallel azimuth to thesecond alignment control structure 39 because width of the secondalignment control structure 39 is narrow with 4 μm or less. The reasonthat the second alignment control structure 39 is formed being adjacentto the alignment control structure 36 on upper side of the gap portionof long side of the pixel electrode 30 is that tilt orientation ofliquid crystal is fixed to any one azimuth among almost parallel toshort side of the pixel electrode 30 and mono-domain alignment isrealized.

Since liquid crystal molecules is oriented to parallel azimuth to thestructure in the second alignment control structure 39, upper side ofthe second alignment control structure 39 contributes to reflectance.That is, reflectance falls because liquid crystal molecules 4 a and 4 bof center portion of oblique electric field is hard to orient with tiltin tilt orientation using oblique electric field generating between theupper and lower substrates. However, when only tilt azimuth of liquidcrystal provided in tilt orientation using distortion of electric fieldgenerating in the substrate surface, reflectance does not fall becauseliquid crystal on the second alignment control structure 39 orients withtilt to almost equal azimuth. Whether liquid crystal molecules 4 a and 4b orient to scanning azimuth to the alignment control structures 36 and39 or orient to azimuth different 90° depends on width of the alignmentcontrol structures 36 and 39, and liquid crystal orients to almostscanning azimuth at 4 μm or less.

(Ninth Solving Means)

In the first solving means, a second alignment control construction(slit for example) of almost parallel to short side of pixel electrodesand having width 4 μm or less is formed adjacent to long side of thepixel electrode on the pixel electrode.

The similar effect is expected by forming a second alignment controlconstruction 29 similar to the eighth solving means on the pixelelectrode 30. Especially, although at forming an alignment control sliton the pixel electrode 30, the slit does not contribute to reflectancebecause reflective plate is removed at the area, thereflection-transmission type liquid crystal display device can berealized by using the area as light transmitting area. Although thereflection-transmission type liquid crystal display device performdisplay of transmission type by forming transmitting window onreflective electrode, switching of liquid crystal is possible withoutforming transparent electrode at transmitting area by using the secondalignment control slit for transmitting window. Since oblique electricfield aligning liquid crystal with tilt does not generate at boundaryportion of reflective area, it is possible to make liquid crystalalignment almost mono-domain alignment in the pixel electrode.

(Tenth Solving Means)

In the eighth and ninth solving means, a second alignment controlstructure (line shape projection or slit) has almost triangle or almostrectangle viewing to normal direction of the substrate surface, and isformed continuously at almost same intervals.

By making plane shape of second alignment control structure almosttriangle or almost rectangle, azimuths that liquid crystal orients withtilt are put in order to almost same azimuths in the gap portion betweenthe pixel electrodes and the pixel electrodes. Since directivitygenerates in distortion of electric field of direction in the substratesurface in almost triangle, liquid crystal orients with tilt totapering-off azimuth of almost triangle. Therefore, it is desirable tomake plane shape almost triangle in order to orient the liquid crystalin the pixel electrodes almost the same azimuth. However, in the casethat patterning is difficult in almost triangle and alignment controlslit is used for transmitting window such as the reflection-transmissiontype liquid crystal display device, almost rectangle may be used.

By forming continuously the second alignment control structure at almostsame interval, response speed can be improved efficiently because thesecond alignment control structures are formed closely in the pixelelectrode.

(Eleventh Solving Means)

In the first solving means, liquid crystal has high polymer chain basedon liquid crystal alignment formed by photopolymerizing thephotopolymerization material while applying voltage dispersing thematerial. By forming high polymer chain high in compatibility withliquid crystal to azimuth that liquid crystal orients with tilt,response speed is improved because response of liquid crystal is madefast by compatible force with high polymer chain.

Since electric field that liquid crystal orients with tilt does notgenerate without applying voltage in some degree in alignment controlusing electric field, change of reflectance to voltage applied becomessharp so that control of gradation display becomes difficult. However,by using the construction, change of reflectance to voltage appliedbecome slow so that control of gradation display is easy because liquidcrystal in the condition can easily aligning with tilt by compatibleforce with high polymer chain.

(Twelfth Solving Means)

The structure is provided only on the first substrate, and an alignmentcontrol means having alignment regulating force which is equal to ormore than that of oblique electric field generating at the gap portionbetween adjacent pixel electrodes on the second substrate is provided,thereby liquid crystal alignment in the pixel electrodes is made almostmono-domain alignment.

By performing alignment control means having alignment regulating forcewhich is equal to or more than that of oblique electric field generatingat the gap portion between pixel electrodes overall area, obliqueelectric field is negated and liquid crystal alignment in the pixelelectrodes can be made almost mono-domain alignment. However, it isdifficult to perform almost uniform alignment treatment at overall areabecause the second substrate forms unevenness having reflectivity on thesurface. That is, the alignment control means having alignmentregulating force which is equal to or more than that of oblique electricfield has function mainly increasing anchoring energy with boundarysurface of alignment so that pre-tilt angle of liquid crystal isreduced. Although its reduction is insignificant at the first substrate,at the second substrate, liquid crystal is easy to orient with tiltbecause liquid crystal previously tilts for tilt angle of unevenness sothat reduction of pre-tilt angle becomes large. As a result, retardationgenerates at black display, and contrast ratio is reduced.

Then, by performing alignment control means having alignment regulatingforce which is equal to or more than that of oblique electric fieldgenerating at the gap portion between the pixel electrodes only at thefirst substrate and by performing nothing at the second substrate, andthe second substrate is hollowed alignment regulating force of the firstsubstrate. The second substrate easily follows alignment regulatingforce of the first substrate because liquid crystal is in the conditioneasily aligning with tilt at the second substrate.

(Thirteenth Solving Means)

Liquid crystal is oriented to arbitrary azimuth by light-reformingalignment film only at the first substrate. The reason forlight-reforming alignment film only at the first substrate is thatcontrol of light reforming is difficult except the above-mentionedreason. That is, in the technology, light irradiation is performed fromarbitrary azimuth to the alignment film, alkyl side chains of thealignment film tilted to random azimuth are put in order to arbitraryazimuth, and liquid crystal orients with tilt to the azimuth. However,in the substrate forming unevenness having reflectivity at the surface,it is difficult to put in order alkyl side chains of the alignment filmto arbitrary azimuth by reflective light or surface shape so that it isdifficult to obtain uniform mono-domain alignment.

On the other hand, only CF layer is formed on surface of the firstsubstrate, but reflective plate and unevenness are not formed. As aresult, it is easy to put in order alkyl side chains of the alignmentfilm to arbitrary azimuth.

(Fourteenth Solving Means)

Liquid crystal sealed between the first and second substrates and havingnegative dielectric anisotropy has azimuth angle dependency inreflective strength by uneven plane shape, and alignment azimuth ofliquid crystal is intersected at almost right angles to azimuth of localmaximum of reflective strength.

In the reflective liquid crystal display device forming unevennesshaving reflectivity on the surface, design is performed so thatobliquely incident light outgoes vertically in order to reflect moreenvironment light to observer side. Although black display is performedat the condition that liquid crystal orients vertically in VA mode,however, the retardation of the oblique incidence light influences thereflected light in the vertical direction, it is necessary to eliminateit with phase difference plate having negative retardation in order toobtain complete black display.

Light path becomes reversed by observing from oblique direction to panelsurface and not from vertical direction, and vertical incident lightoutgoes obliquely. Here, when liquid crystal orients with tilt, byobserving from azimuth of tilt orientation, that is, by observing fromangle (outgoing angle obtained from tilt angle and refractive index ofliquid crystal and air) almost agreeing tilt angle optically,retardation generating at oblique outgoing becomes almost zero, andnegative retardation becomes large for the zero so that float of blackbrightness is conspicuous. In this case, although retardation generatesat vertical incidence, negative retardation becomes large becauseoptical path length is shorter than oblique incident light length. Thefloat of black brightness does not generate because increase anddecrease of retardation by tilt angle are canceled out by tilt azimuthand obliquely incident component from reverse azimuth observing fromvertical direction. Therefore, it is not desirable to set local maximumof reflectance strength to azimuth of tilt orientation in mono-domainbecause the float of black brightness is conspicuous.

Then, by setting local maximum of reflectance strength to azimuthdifferent in 90° to azimuth that liquid crystal orients with tilt, blackbrightness is inconspicuous because azimuth with little in viewing angledependency is bright and large part of dependency is dark. In the casethat directivity of reflective strength by uneven shape becomes azimuthsof upper and lower, and right and left direction, local maximum of onereflective strength agrees azimuth of tilt orientation of liquid crystalwhen local maximum of reflective strength is set to azimuth different in90° to azimuth that liquid crystal orients with tilt. However, theazimuth may be arranged at not observing side (keyboard side forexample) from oblique direction if possible.

According to the mode for carrying out, in the reflective liquid crystaldisplay device of vertical alignment mode using one sheet of thepolarizing plate, alignment control is possible without sacrificingreflectance. As a result of that, the reflective liquid crystal displaydevice in which contrast ratio is high and display is clear can beproduced with good yield.

The reflective liquid crystal display device according to the mode forcarrying out will be concretely described below using embodiments.

Embodiment 3-1

Uneven shape having reflectivity on the surface is formed on thesubstrate surface as the following. First, positive type resist (made byShipray Far East) is spin-coated about 3 μm thickness to form resistlayer on the TFT substrate. Next, after 30 minutes of pre-baking at 90°C., the resist layer is half-exposed, post baking of 40 minutes at 135°C., and final baking of 60 minutes at 200° C. are performed so as toform uneven shape. After that, Al film is deposited at whole surface ofthe substrate, a reflective electrode (being the pixel electrode andserving the diffusion reflective plate) is formed by peeling Al film offexcept the pixel electrode using photolithography technique.

The alignment control structure is formed on the substrate surface asthe following. First, the above-mentioned positive type resist isspin-coated about 3 μm thickness to form resist layer on the facingsubstrate. Next, after 30 minutes of pre-baking at 90° C., the alignmentcontrol structures pattern contacting long sides of two long sides ofpixel electrodes or overlapping viewing to normal direction of thesubstrate surface are formed at every other one pixel electrode atcorresponding area facing the gap portion of pixel electrode long side,and the alignment control structures pattern of the same dimension asthe gap portion at area facing the gap portion of pixel electrode shortside is exposed using a mask formed at every pixel electrodes.

The structure of the embodiment will be described using FIG. 55 again.FIG. 55 shows the state applying voltage to a liquid crystal layer 4,and shows the state that liquid crystal molecules 4 a and 4 b on thepixel electrodes 30 tilt to directions of arrow signs 32 and 34 facingto the alignment control structures 36 positioning at upper position ofgap between the pixel electrodes 30. As shown in FIG. 55, gap width W2between the pixel electrodes 30 is 6 μm at both of long side and shortside of the pixel electrode 30, pattern width W1 of the alignmentcontrol structure 36 of long side of the pixel electrodes 30 is 6 to 18μm, and overlapping quantity of the long side of the pixel electrodes 30and the alignment control structure 36 is 0 to 6 μm. Next, half-exposureis performed using a mask forming dot shape pattern for supporting thesubstrates at area on pattern of the alignment control structure 36.Here, the reason half-exposing is that height of the alignment controlstructure 36 except area supporting the substrate is made less thanthickness equal to liquid crystal layer and that the alignment controlstructure 36 disturbs injection of liquid crystal when whole structureis made thickness equal to liquid crystal layer. However, there is nolimit when bonding the substrates and injection of liquid crystal areperformed in a lump such as drop injection, and the alignment controlstructure 36 having thickness equal to liquid crystal layer at wholethereof does not disturb injection of liquid crystal.

Although the substrate is supported using a part of the alignmentcontrol structure in the embodiment, the substrate may be supported byforming a projection, total height of which is equal to layer thicknessof liquid crystal layer.

Next, developing treatment, post exposure, post-baking of 2 minutes at130° C., and final baking of 60 minutes at 220° C. are performed,thereby the alignment control structure and supporting column areformed.

A matter (conventional example) performing rubbing treatment withoutforming the alignment control structure on the facing substrate isformed.

Next, vertical alignment film (by JSR Company) is applied on surface ofTFT substrate and facing substrate, and spacer (by Sekisui Fine ChemicalCompany) of 3 μm diameter is sprayed so as to bond both for theconventional example performing rubbing treatment. Liquid crystal (madeby Merck Japan Company) having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε=−7.0)and being 0.1 in difference of refractive indexes (refractive indexanisotropy) Δn of extraordinary ray and ordinary ray is injected so asto obtain the reflective liquid crystal display device.

A negative phase difference film in which retardation of thicknessdirection is about 150 nm, a phase difference plate having retardationof almost ¼ of visible light wavelength, and a polarizing plate arelaminated in order at facing substrate side of the reflective liquidcrystal display device. Reflectance at whole white display and wholeblack display is measured from normal direction of the substrate usingintegrated sphere light source, and contrast ratio is obtained.Alignment observation is performed using linear polarizer and circlepolarizer.

The results are shown in Table 4 and FIG. 58A to FIG. 58F.

FIG. 58A to FIG. 58F show pictures observed at alignment observation. InFIG. 58A to FIG. 58F, FIG. 58A and FIG. 58B are pictures at Embodiment1A in the case of W1/W2=1.0, FIG. 58C and FIG. 58D are pictures atEmbodiment 1B in the case of W1/W2=1.7, and FIG. 58E and FIG. 58F arepictures at Embodiment 1C in the case of W1/W2=2.3. FIG. 58A, FIG. 58C,and FIG. 58E are observation results using linear polarizer, and FIG.58B, FIG. 58D, and FIG. 58F are observation results using circlepolarizer.

In the case that width W1 of the alignment control structure and gapwidth W2 are the same (Embodiment 1A), although whole white reflectancebecome higher than the conventional rubbing-treated example for thatthere is no spacer in the pixel electrodes, when width of the alignmentcontrol structure is made large, the reflectance gradually falls so asto become the same degree (Embodiments 1B to 1D). Since whole blackreflectance becomes large a little with it, contrast ratio graduallyfalls. This is because overlapping quantity of the alignment controlstructure and long side of the pixel electrode becomes large, wholewhite reflectance falls a little because retardation near long side ofthe pixel electrode is reduced for thickness of the alignment controlstructure, and whole black reflectance increases a little because liquidcrystal near long side of the pixel electrode orients with tilt by thealignment control structure.

By arranging the linear polarizer with tilt 45° to short side of thepixel electrode, uniform black display is obtained if liquid crystal isarranged uniformly to azimuth of short side of the pixel electrode.Here, the case that alignment direction of liquid crystal is shiftedfrom azimuth of short side of the pixel electrode at greater part ofarea so as to remove light is shown with symbol x, the case thatalignment direction of liquid crystal is shifted from azimuth of shortside of the pixel electrode at about half of area so as to remove lightis shown with symbol Δ, and the case that alignment direction of liquidcrystal agrees with azimuth of short side of the pixel electrode atgreater part of area so that removing light is little is shown withsymbol O. The circle polarizer is arranged to arbitrary azimuth becauseof no azimuth angle dependency, the case that dark line by domainboundary and uneven feeling at oblique viewing angle exist is shown withsymbol x, and the case that they do not exist is shown in symbol O.

As the width of the alignment control structure is made larger, removinglight is reduced at aligning condition viewed with linear polarizer,aligning direction of liquid crystal agrees with azimuth of short sideof the pixel electrode. Aligning condition viewed with circle polarizeris good independently of width of the alignment control structure, largedispersion causing reverse tilt is not generated even if aligningdirection disperses when the alignment control structure is formed at anarea where the alignment control structure corresponds to the gapportion between the pixel electrodes. However, although a domainboundary is not generated by the combination with a circle polarizerwhen the width of the alignment control structure is the width of thegap or more, the aligning direction of liquid crystal dispersesconsiderably, thereby a large dispersion causing reverse tilt results atthe generation of a position shift in bonding the substrates. Therefore,it is desirable to make width of the alignment control structure for aposition larger in an actual process, and it is desirable that a widthW1 of the alignment control structure is set to the following rangebecause reduction of reflectance is reduced to the same degree as arubbing treatment when W1/W2 is 3 or less.1≦W1/W2≦3

On the other hand, rubbing sinew generates in the conventional example,and contrast ratio falls by whole black reflection for the rubbingsinew.

TABLE 4 Whole Linear Circular white Whole black polarized polarizedDisplay W1/W2 Reflectance Reflectance CR light light defect Embodiment1A1.0 11.3% 0.25% 45.2 X ◯ No Embodiment1B 1.7 11.1% 0.25% 44.4 Δ ◯ NoEmbodiment1C 2.3 11.0% 0.27% 40.7 ◯ ◯ No Embodiment1D 3.0 10.9% 0.30%36.3 ◯ ◯ No Conventional — 11.0% 0.35% 31.4 ◯ ◯ Rubbing example sinew

Embodiment 3-2

Unevenness having reflectivity is formed on the TFT substrate by thesame technique as Embodiment 3-1. Alignment control slit is formed onthe substrate surface as the following. First, the above-mentionedpositive type resist is spin-coated about 1.5 μm thickness to formresist layer on the facing substrate. Next, after 30 minutes ofpre-baking at 90° C., the alignment control slit pattern contacting longside of adjacent one pixel electrode or overlapping is formed at everypixel electrode at facing area to the gap portion of long side of thepixel electrode, and exposure is performed using a mask forming thealignment control slit pattern of the same dimension as the gap width atfacing area to the gap portion of short side of the pixel electrode atevery pixel electrode. Gap width W2 between the pixel electrodes is 6 μmat both of long side and short side of the pixel electrode, patternwidth W1 of the alignment control structure of long side of the pixelelectrodes is 3 to 9 μm, and overlapping quantity of the long side ofthe pixel electrodes and the alignment control structure is 0 to 6 μm.Here, end side of alignment control structure is put at center line ofthe gap portion of the pixel electrode. Next, development treatment,post-exposure, post-baking of 2 minutes at 130° C., peeling the ITOfilm, and peeling the resist layer are performed in order so as to formalignment control slit.

Next, applying vertical alignment film on surface of TFT substrate andfacing substrate, spacer of 3 μm diameter is sprayed so as to bond. Thereflective liquid crystal display device is produced similarly as thefirst solving means, and similar measurement and observation areperformed.

The result is shown in Table 5. In the case that width of the alignmentcontrol structure is half of the gap width (Embodiment 2A), although thewhole white reflectance is same as the conventional rubbing-treatedexample, when width of the alignment control structure is made large,the reflectance gradually falls (Embodiments 2B to 2D). Since the wholeblack reflectance does not change, decrease in contrast ratio is little.This is because overlapping quantity of the alignment control structureand long side of the pixel electrode becomes large, whole whitereflectance falls a little because area generating oblique electricfield near long side of the pixel electrode becomes wide, and wholeblack reflectance does not change because liquid crystal near long sideof the pixel electrode does not orient with tilt when no voltage isapplied. Alignment condition is same as Embodiment 3-1, as width of thealignment control structure is made larger, removing light is reduced ataligning condition viewed with linear polarizer, aligning direction ofliquid crystal agrees with azimuth of short side of the pixel electrode.It is desirable to make width of the alignment control structure largerby position shift portion in actual process, it is desirable that widthW1 of the alignment control structure is set to the following rangebecause reduction of reflectance is less than 5%, the degree in whichdifference of them is not distinguished as viewing sense when W1/W2 is1.5 or less.0.5≦W1/W2≦1.5

TABLE 5 Whole white Whole black W1/W2 reflectance reflectance CREmbodiment2A 0.5 11.0% 0.25% 44.0 Embodiment2B 0.8 10.8% 0.25% 43.2Embodiment2C 1.2 10.7% 0.25% 42.8 Embodiment2D 1.5 10.5% 0.25% 42.0Conventional — 11.0% 0.35% 31.4 example Linear Circular polarizedpolarized Display light light defect Embodiment 2A X ◯ No Embodiment 2BΔ ◯ No Embodiment 2C ◯ ◯ No Embodiment 2D ◯ ◯ No Conventional ◯ ◯Rubbing example sinew

Embodiment 3-3

Unevenness having reflectivity is formed on the TFT substrate by thesame technique as Embodiment 3-1. Alignment control slit is formed onthe substrate surface as follows. First, the above-mentioned positivetype resist is spin-coated to about 1.5 μm thickness to form a resistlayer on the TFT substrate. Next, after 30 minutes of pre-baking at 90°C., exposure is performed using a mask. The mask is formed by alignmentcontrol slits, alignment control slit patterns, and second alignmentcontrol slit patterns. The alignment control slits overlapping the longside of the adjacent two pixel electrode are formed every other onepixel electrode at the facing area to the gap portion of long side ofthe pixel electrode. The alignment control slit patterns of the samedimension as the gap width are formed at every pixel electrode at thefacing area to the gap portion of the short side of the pixel electrode.The second alignment control slit patterns almost parallel to short sideof the pixel electrode and having almost a rectangle of 4 μm or less inpattern width are formed at the facing area to the pixel electrode in acomb shape adjacent to the alignment control slit patterns. Gap width W2between the pixel electrodes is 6 μm at both of the long side and shortside of the pixel electrode, pattern width W1 of the alignment controlslit of the long side of the pixel electrodes is 10 μm, and anoverlapping quantity of the long side of the pixel electrodes and thealignment control slit is 2 μm. Next, development treatment,post-exposure, post-baking of 2 minutes at 130° C., peeling the ITOfilm, and peeling the resist layer are performed in order so as to formthe alignment control slit (see Embodiment 3A; FIG. 59A). Forcomparison, a sample not forming the second alignment control slit isproduced by performing exposure using a mask forming the second controlslit pattern (see Embodiment 3B; FIG. 59B).

The reflective liquid crystal display device is produced similarly asEmbodiment 3-1, and response speed at changes to white display fromblack display are measured adding to similar measurement andobservation. The result is shown in Table 6. Although whole whitereflectance, whole black reflectance, CR are similar as Embodiment 3-2,alignment condition viewed by linear polarizer is different, removinglight is reduced in Embodiment 3A (FIG. 59A) forming the secondalignment control slit as shown in FIG. 59A and FIG. 59B, and alignmentdirection of liquid crystal agrees with azimuth of short side of pixelelectrode. This is because liquid crystal in the pixel electrode becomeseasy to orient to direction of short side of the pixel electrode by thesecond alignment control slit arranged in comb shape, response speedfrom whole black to whole white is improved over the conventionalexample.

TABLE 6 Whole white Whole black W1/W2 reflectance reflectance CREmbodiment3A 1.7 10.5% 0.25% 42.0 Embodiment3B 1.7 10.8% 0.25% 43.2Conventional — 11.0% 0.35% 31.4 example Linear Circular polarizedpolarized Response light light speed Embodiment 3A ◯ ◯ 27 ms Embodiment3B Δ ◯ 45 ms Conventional ◯ ◯ 25 ms example

Embodiment 3-4

Unevenness having reflectivity is formed on the TFT substrate by thesame technique as Embodiment 3-1. Alignment control structure and secondalignment control slit are formed on the substrate surface as follows.First, the above-mentioned positive type resist is spin-coated to about3 μm thickness to form resist layer on the TFT substrate. Next, after 30minutes of pre-baking at 90° C., the alignment control slit patternoverlapping the long side of adjacent two pixel electrodes is formed atevery other one pixel electrode at a facing area to the gap portion ofthe long side of the pixel electrode, and exposure is performed using amask forming the alignment control structure pattern of the samedimension as the gap width at the facing area to the gap portion of theshort side of the pixel electrode at every pixel electrode. Next, halfexposure is performed using a mask forming a dot shape pattern forsupporting the substrate on the pattern of alignment control structure.Next, development treatment, post-exposure, post-baking of 2 minutes at130° C., and final baking of 60 minutes at 220° C. are performed so asto form the alignment control structure and supporting column.

The above-mentioned positive type resist is spin-coated to about 1.5 μmthickness to form a resist layer on the TFT substrate. Next, after 30minutes of pre-baking at 90° C., exposure is performed using a mask inwhich second alignment control slit patterns almost parallel to theshort side of the pixel electrode and having almost a rectangle of 4 μmor less in pattern width are formed in a comb shape adjacently to thegap portion of the long side of the pixel electrode not forming thealignment control structure at the facing area. Gap width W2 between thepixel electrodes is 6 μm at both of the long side and short side of thepixel electrode, pattern width W1 of the alignment control slit of thelong side of the pixel electrodes is 10 μm, and an overlapping quantityof the long side of the pixel electrodes and the alignment control slitis 2 μm. Next, development treatment, post-exposure, post-baking of 2minutes at 130° C., peeling Al film and uneven layer at an area beingthe second alignment control slit, and peeling of the resist layer areperformed in order so as to form the second alignment control slit.

The reflective liquid crystal display device is produced similarly asEmbodiment 3-1, and similar measurement and observation as Embodiment3-3 are performed. The result is shown in Table 7. Although whole whitereflectance at the embodiment (Embodiment 4 in Table 7) falls forpeeling reflective plate (Al film) on the pixel electrode, whole blackreflectance does not change so that contrast ratio is as same as theconventional example. Even if whole white reflectance falls, clarity ofdisplay does not fall much because contrast ratio is high. In alignmentcondition viewed by linear polarizer, removing light is reducedsimilarly as Embodiment 3A, as a result, response speed from whole blackto whole white is improved over rubbing treatment (conventionalexample). When the reflection-transmission type liquid crystal displaydevice is produced forming the second alignment control slit, relationof transmittance and reflectance is in a relation of trade-off, lengthand forming interval of the second alignment control slit may be changedby desired transmittance and reflectance besides a comb shaped patternused in the embodiment.

TABLE 7 Whole white Whole black W1/W2 reflectance reflectance CREmbodiment 4 1.7 8.0% 0.25% 32.0 Conventional — 11.0% 0.35% 31.4 exampleLinear Circular polarized polarized Response light light speedEmbodiment 4 ◯ ◯ 27 ms Conventional ◯ ◯ 25 ms example

Embodiment 3-5

Unevenness having reflectivity is formed on TFT substrate by the sametechnique as Embodiment 3-1, and alignment control structure is formedon the facing substrate. Next, a vertical alignment film is applied on asurface of the TFT substrate and the facing substrate, and bonding isperformed. The above-mentioned liquid crystal including liquid crystalmonomer (by Merck Japan Company) of 0.3 wt % having photopolymerizationis injected into an empty panel. The reflective liquid crystal displaydevice is produced as similarly as Embodiment 3-1, and the material isphotopolymerized while applying DC 10 V so as to form high polymer chainbased on liquid crystal alignment. Measurement and observation similaras Embodiment 3-1 are performed besides threshold voltage whenreflectance is 10% and response speed from whole black to whole white.The result is shown in Table 8.

In Embodiment 3-5 (Embodiment 5 in Table 8) forming high polymer chainin compatibility with liquid crystal in liquid crystal, thresholdvoltage falls by 0.3 V when comparing Embodiment 1B, removing light inalignment condition viewed by linear polarizer is reduced, and responsespeed from whole black to whole white is improved over rubbing treatment(conventional example). However, whole black reflectance increases alittle because liquid crystal is easy to orient with tilt, and contrastratio falls. Threshold voltage does not fall to degree of theconventional example because high polymer chain becomes resistance.However, contrast ratio is as same as the conventional example, theembodiment provides useful means when multi-gradation display isrequired because fall of 0.3 V is large for saturation voltage 2.3 V.

TABLE 8 Whole white Whole black W1/W2 reflectance reflectance CREmbodiment1B 1.7 11.1% 0.25% 44.4 Embodiment 5 1.7 11.1% 0.36% 30.8Conventional — 11.0% 0.35% 31.4 example Linear Circular Thresholdpolarized polarized Response voltage light light speed Embodiment 1B1.60 Δ ◯ 43 ms Embodiment 5 1.30 ◯ ◯ 25 ms Conventional 1.10 ◯ ◯ 25 msexample

Embodiment 3-6

Unevenness having reflectivity is formed on the TFT substrate by thesame technique as Embodiment 3-1, vertical alignment control film isapplied on surface of TFT substrate and facing substrate. Next, ultraviolet light of 2000 mJ/cm² tilting 45° to substrate surface from almostparallel azimuth is irradiated at short side of the pixel electrode inonly the facing substrate, and light reforming of vertical alignmentfilm is performed. The reflective liquid crystal display device isproduced similarly as Embodiment 3-1 besides spraying spacer on thefacing substrate, and measurement and observation similar as Embodiment3-5 are performed. The result is shown in Table 9.

In Embodiment 3-6 (described Embodiment 6 in Table 9), whole blackreflectance is low, and contrast ratio is high comparative toconventional example. Threshold voltage, alignment, and response speedare same as the conventional example, display defect such as rubbingsinew is not generated. Light reforming of alignment film is effectivein order to perform the alignment control structure having alignmentregulating force which is equal to or more than that of oblique electricfield only on the facing substrate.

TABLE 9 Whole white Whole black Threshold reflectance reflectance CRvoltage Embodiment 6 11.0% 0.25% 44.0 1.20 Conventional 11.0% 0.35%31.4% 1.10 example Linear Circular polarized polarized Response Displaylight light speed defect Embodiment 6 ◯ ◯ 25 ms No Conventional ◯ ◯ 25ms Rubbing example sinew

Embodiment 3-7

Unevenness having azimuth angle dependency at reflective strength isformed on the substrate surface as follows. First, positive type resistis spin-coated to about 1.5 μm thickness to form resist layer on the TFTsubstrate. Next, after 30 minutes of pre-baking at 90° C., the resistlayer is half-exposed, post baking of 40 minutes at 135° C., and finalbaking of 60 minutes at 200° C. are performed so as to form unevenness.The reason that the resist layer is made half of the thickness ofEmbodiment 3-1 is to have directivity of upper and lower azimuths at aplane shape of unevenness using bus lines on the TFT substrate. That is,although the bus lines are formed to upper and lower, and right and leftazimuths surrounding the pixel electrode, the resist layer is formed ina remaining bus line shape when film thickness of the resist layer ismade thin. When the resist layer is half-exposed, unevenness hasdirectivity to upper and lower azimuths because unevenness is formedcontinuously in a plane along shape of bus lines. Here, the reason thatdirectivity generates to upper and lower azimuths is that the distanceof the gap portion shorter at a data bus line formed to upper and lowerazimuths than a gate bus line formed to right and left azimuths, and theembodiment can have directivity even to right and left azimuths byforming Cs or contact hole so that a distance of the gap portion ofright and left azimuths is shorted. In this case, unevenness may bearranged at side that tilt alignment direction of liquid crystal is notobserved from the oblique direction if possible as above-described.

Next, Al film is deposited at whole surface of the substrate, areflective electrode is formed peeling Al film except the pixelelectrode using photolithography. Vertical alignment film is applied onsurface of TFT substrate and facing substrate, ultra violet light of2000 mJ/cm² tilting 45° to substrate surface from almost parallelazimuth is irradiated at short side of the pixel electrode in only thefacing substrate, and light reforming of vertical alignment film isperformed. The reflective liquid crystal display device is producedsimilarly as Embodiment 3-1 except spraying spacer on the facingsubstrate.

Reflectance at whole black display and whole white display is measuredby entering point light source with tilt of 30° from upper and lower,and right and left azimuths, and by receiving light at verticaldirection to the substrate. The result is shown in Table 10. Although CRdoes not almost change, reflectance of whole black falls 30% comparingwith the conventional example in Embodiment 3-7 (described Embodiment 7in Table 10). In Embodiment 7, by setting local maximum of reflectivestrength to azimuth different in 90° from azimuth (right azimuth) whichliquid crystal orients with tilt, black floating of azimuth of tiltalignment of liquid crystal at mono-domain alignment can beinconspicuous because high azimuth of CR can be made bright and lowazimuth dark.

TABLE 10 Upper azimuth Lower azimuth White/Black/CR White/Black/CREmbodiment 7 22.0/0.37/59.5 23.0/0.38/60.5 Conventional 17.0/0.28/60.717.3/0.29/59.7 example Right azimuth Left azimuth White/Black/CRWhite/Black/CR Embodiment 7 12.0/0.70/17.1 12.0/0.18/66.7 Conventional16.9/1.00/16.9 17.1/0.25/68.4 example

As described above, according to the mode for carrying out, display highin contrast ratio and brighter is obtained in the reflective liquidcrystal display device of one sheet polarizing plate system.

Thus, according to the invention, the reflective liquid crystal displaydevice reducing a loss of contrast by retardation and having low costand high reflectance is realized.

1. A reflective liquid crystal display device comprising: a first andsecond substrates arranged facing each other; a liquid crystal layerincluding liquid crystal material sealed between the first and secondsubstrates and having negative dielectric anisotropy, and having Δn·d(the product of refractive index anisotropy Δn of liquid crystal andcell gap d) of 150 nm or more and 500 nm or less; and a light reflectiveplate formed at the first substrate, wherein liquid crystal material isnematic liquid crystal (including nematic liquid crystal not added withchiral) having chiral pitch of double or more of the cell gap d, whereina first phase difference plate is arranged between a polarizing plateand liquid crystal layer, the first phase difference plate havingnegative refractive anisotropy to a vertical direction to the substrate,and retardation df·{(nx+ny)/2−nz} of the first difference plate beingalmost in the following range:0.4≦[dp·{(nx+ny)/2−nz}]/(dlc·Δn)≦0.7 where, dp: Thickness of the firstphase difference plate nx, ny, nz: Refractive index of xyz axesdirections dlc: Thickness of the liquid crystal layer Δn: Difference ofrefractive indexes of extraordinary ray ne and ordinary ray no of liquidcrystal molecules.
 2. A reflective liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first phase difference plate isarranged adjacently at the liquid crystal layer through the secondsubstrate.
 3. A reflective liquid crystal display device according toclaim 1, wherein the light reflective plate has wrinkled uneven shape atthe reflective surface thereof.
 4. A reflective liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein a phase difference plate havingnegative retardation, a quarter-wavelength plate and a polarizing plateare laminated in this order at opposite side surface to the liquidcrystal layer of the second substrate.
 5. A reflective liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the first substratepartially has light transmitting area in which the optical reflectiveplate is not formed.